Turkic world shows strong solidarity with quake-hit Türkiye PHOTO

The Turkic world has united to help and support Türkiye amid the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes with the epicenter in Kahramanmaraş province.

Anadolu Agency reports that the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) has issued a statement of solidarity and support to Ankara. Authorities of the OTS member and observer countries have dispatched rescue teams, field hospitals, medical personnel, technical equipment, and humanitarian aid to the disaster area.

The heads of state and government of the Turkic-speaking states expressed their condolences and words of support to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in telephone conversations.

OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliyev offered his condolences to the people and leadership of Türkiye, expressing solidarity with Ankara.

Following the announcement of seven days of national mourning in Türkiye, all flags were lowered at the headquarters of the Organisation of Turkic States.

The organisation's office, through the Turkish government's Disaster Management Authority (AFAD), transferred financial aid to residents of the disaster area.

From the first days of the earthquake, rescue teams from Turkic countries arrived in the affected areas of Türkiye. Thanks to their dedication, dozens of Turkish residents were rescued from under piles of concrete.

Azerbaijan sends 7 aircraft and 14 trucks of aid to Türkiye

The Azerbaijani government has so far sent seven aircrafts and 14 trucks with humanitarian aid to the disaster zone in the south and southeast of Türkiye.

Brigades of Azerbaijani rescuers consisting of 725 people, including 34 medics under the Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations are working in the disaster area.

A team of 10 doctors and 8 nurses of Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence was sent to Türkiye after the earthquake.

Azerbaijan deployed a field hospital in the earthquake zone.

Azerbaijani Health Minister Teymur Musayev said that 2,000 beds have been allocated in Azerbaijani hospitals for the victims of the earthquake with its epicentre in Kahramanmaraş.

President Ilham Aliyev visited the Turkish Embassy in Baku, leaving an entry in the book of condolences.

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan send rescuers to disaster area

Kazakhstani President Kassym Jomart-Tokayev ordered the government to allocate US $1 million in emergency aid for earthquake relief.

Two 41- and 56-strong teams of Kazakhstani Ministry of Emergency Situations rescue workers are working to remove the rubble.

The convoy included rescuers, medics and canine teams.

Tokayev visited the Turkish embassy in Astana and expressed sympathy and support for the brotherly people in connection with the catastrophic consequences of the strong earthquake in the south-east of the country.

On instructions from Kyrgyz President Sadir Japarov, a group of 63 rescue workers, medics and psychologists arrived in Türkiye.

Kyrgyzstan has also launched a campaign to collect aid for those affected by the earthquake.

Deputies of the Kyrgyz Parliament honoured the memory of those killed in the earthquake with its epicentre in Kahramanmaraş, starting the session with a minute of silence.

Kyrgyz Parliament Speaker Nurlanbek Shakiyev, on behalf of the deputies and on his own behalf, expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the Turkish people.

Uzbekistan sends two airplanes with rescuers and equipment to earthquake zone

Two planes carrying a 100-member search-and-rescue team of Uzbekistan's Emergencies Ministry, special equipment and humanitarian aid arrived in the earthquake zone, the Uzbek Emergencies Ministry said.

Uzbekistan has also sent to Türkiye a medical team of 71 people and equipment for the deployment of a field hospital.

According to the Uzbek Foreign Ministry, the aid was sent to Türkiye on the order of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The flight from Tashkent will also deliver a humanitarian cargo to Gaziantep, including medicines and supplies.

On February 9, Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Uzbekistan, where he left an entry in the book of condolences.

The head of state assured that Uzbekistan was ready to continue providing all necessary assistance to Türkiye.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan has also sent a plane with a rescue team, including 10 medics, as well as humanitarian aid and medical supplies to the disaster area in Türkiye.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, former president of Turkmenistan and head of the Khalk Maslakhaty (People's Council) supreme body of popular power, visited the Turkish embassy in Ashgabat to express condolences for the numerous deaths caused by the earthquake.

Hungary

Hungary is among the countries that also promptly dispatched search-and-rescue teams and humanitarian aid to Türkiye.

To date, 156 Hungarian specialists are involved in search-and-rescue efforts in earthquake zones, assisted by 28 dogs.

Many Hungarian cities have started collecting aid for the victims of the earthquake in Türkiye.

Hungarian President Katalin Novak and Prime Minister Viktor Orban sent words of sympathy and condolences to President Erdogan.

TRNC

On the first day of the earthquake, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) sent a 30-member search-and-rescue team to Türkiye.

In the following days, 100 vehicles of public and private companies and entrepreneurs, including cranes, excavators, buckets, bulldozers, trucks, oil and water tanks, were delivered to the earthquake zone.

The Earthquake Crisis Bureau, established under the chairmanship of President Ersin Tatar in the TRNC, continues to coordinate the work.

In addition, a 7-day national mourning period has been declared in the TRNC because of the earthquake.