1 of 2 Aerial photo shows earthquake damage and a homeless camp in Hatay, Turkey, on February 19, 2023 — Photo: Portal/Clodagh Kilcoyne Aerial photo shows earthquake damage and a homeless camp in Hatay, Turkey, on February 19, 2023 — Photo: Portal/Clodagh Kilcoyne
The United States will deliver 100 million dollars (approx. R$ 516 million) in addition for the response to the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the US State Department announced this Sunday (19), an amount that will be added $85 million (approx. BRL 439 million) previously approved.
US President Joe Biden intends to approve US$50 million (around R$258 million) for this refugee aid and another $50 million humanitarian aid to help those affected by the devastating earthquake that struck the two countries on Feb. 6, the foreign ministry said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Turkey on Sunday to demonstrate US support for an ally affected by the earthquake. killed over 45,000 people in the country and in neighboring Syria. His visit was planned before the quake, but the disaster changed the schedule.
Shortly after landing, Blinken flew a helicopter over the devastated Hatay province, one of the worsthit places.
“Given the extent of the damage and the number of apartments and homes destroyed, massive reconstruction will be required and we are committed to supporting that effort,” Blinken said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken fly by helicopter over earthquake zones in Turkey on February 19, 2023. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken fly by helicopter over earthquakestricken areas in Turkey on February 19, 2023.
The United States sent several rescue teams to Turkey the day after the quake and provided an initial installment of US$85 million (about R$439 million) in humanitarian assistance. It also supplied Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters for material handling.
Turkey on Sunday announced the end of the search for survivors except in the two hardesthit provinces of Kahramanmaras and Hatay.
Twelve days after the earthquake in Turkey, two people were rescued alive from rubble
The two NATO allies have a sometimes turbulent relationship.
Disputes include the possible sale of F16 fighter jets promised by President Joe Biden to Turkey but blocked by congressional opposition; and Turkey’s blockade of Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO.
Blinken began his European tour in Munich, Germany, where he attended the International Security Conference, and will end it in Athens, where he will have meetings with the authorities of Greece, Turkey’s historic rival but also a NATO partner.