Iraqi Red Crescent sends relief aid to Syria, Turkey following massive earthquake
People search for survivors in Diyarbakir following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Red Crescent announced on Monday it is providing aid to Syria and Turkey, following the devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkey, and affected northern areas in Syria.
The Iraqi Red Crescent indicated that an Iraqi rescue team is heading to Turkey to assist in rescue and relief operations for the earthquake victims.
The Iraqi Red Crescent confirmed that 60 tons of relief, food and medical aid are ready to be sent to Syria.
“The humanitarian aid is being sent in coordination and with the support of the Iraqi government,” the Iraqi Red Crescent mentioned.
Early on Monday, a devastating earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Turkey near the city of Gaziantep, and areas in northern Syria, and was felt by residents in Iraq and Lebanon.
The massive earthquake hit 26 kilometers east of Nurdagi city of Gaziantep province in south-central Turkey on Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
It was reported that residents in Erbil, Duhok and northern Baghdad all felt the aftershocks of the massive earthquakes.
The devastating earthquake left hundreds of buildings destroyed in southern Turkey and northern Syria, in addition to thousands of victims.