Through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, Greece is sending five aircraft with humanitarian aid to Turkey to deal with the immediate consequences of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the country in the early hours of Monday.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ordered Greece to provide health and medical equipment and basic necessities, such as 7,500 blankets, 1,500 beds and 500 tents, which can accommodate families and used as mobile clinics.
The first mission of humanitarian aid to Turkey will be accompanied by Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, Christos Stylianidis and the Secretary General of Civil Protection Vassilios Papageorgiou and will depart in the next few hours from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.
According to the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry, Aegean airline will carry out five flights in order to transfer all equipment as soon as possible.
The mission is carried out in consultation with the Turkish authorities, with the assistance of the Turkish ambassador in Athens, and in cooperation with the European Commission, in the framework of the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
It is noted that the cost of transporting the equipment will be covered by 75% by the European Civil Protection Mechanism, while the remaining 25% of the national participation will be sponsored by the Aegean airline.
Meanwhile, the Greek government, Greek Orthodox Church, and municipalities among others have issued calls to the public for collection of basic needs for the earthquake-stricken regions of Türkiye and Syria.
A powerful earthquake registering 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the neighboring regions on Monday and killed over 11,200 people in both countries, levelling cities, injuring thousands, and leaving them homeless.
On Wednesday, the General Secretariat for Social Solidarity and Combatting Poverty (Labor & SOcial Affairs Ministry) asked for donations of items through the Hellenic Red Cross.
The list of necessities includes foods with long shelf life (legumes, cans, biscuits, nuts, bottled water, milk, and juices), baby diapers, blankets and sheets, children's and adult clothing, personal hygiene items, masks, antibacterial hankies or gels, gloves, and baby formula, milk for children, and baby care items.
Items can be left at the General Secretariat (60 Solomou St), from 08:00 to 20:00, and until February 20. They will be taken to the Hellenic Red Cross, which will send them on. For more information, call 210-5281285-6.
The Greek Orthodox Church of Greece will collect from the Holy Archbishopric of Athens and Metropolitan Churches of Greece the following items: new blankets and comforters (duvets), bottled water, long-shelf-life milk, pasta, rice, and legumes.
The items may be collected from February 12 (Sunday) to February 19 (also Sunday). The items will be dispatched by the Athens Archbishopric See's 'Apostoli' charity.
In addition, several municipalities of Attica have called for donations of items. Please consult with each municipality, as the lists are extensive and specific to the municipalities, as well as in terms of the hours and dates of collection.
The following municipalities said on Wednesday they were collecting donations for Türkiye and Syria:
Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, Alimos, Acharnes, Dionyssos, Elliniko-Argyroupoli, Ilioupoli, Ilion, Kessariani, Kifissia, Kropia, Lykovrissi-Pefki, Megara, Nea Smyrni, Peania, Palio Faliro, Penteli, Peristeri, Rafina-Pikermi, Spata-Artemis, Filothei-Psychiko, and Haidari.
Starting collection as of yesterday (Tuesday) are the municipalities of Lavreotiki, Elefsina, Egaleo, Nea Filadelfia, Metamorfossi, Iraklio, Vyronas, Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, Kallithea, Moschato-Tavros, Nea Ionia, Papagos-Holargos, Halandri, Vrilissia, Amaroussio (Maroussi), Petroupoli, Agia Varvara, Zografos, Dafni-Imittos, Agios Dimitrios, Glyfada, Marathonas, Pallini, Markopoulo, and Saronikos.
The Greek special disaster management team (EMAK) has rescued 5 people and recovered another 5 bodies since it arrived on Tuesday at earthquake-stricken Hatay, southeastern Turkey, the Fire Brigade said on Wednesday.
According to the Fire Brigade, to which all EMAK teams belong, the following individuals had been rescued so far:
- A man, around 50 years of age, on Tuesday (Feb. 7)
- A girl, around 9 yrs of age (Feb. 7)
- A girl, around 7 yrs of age (Feb. 7)
- A boy, around 17 yrs of age (Feb. 8), and
- A woman around 20 yrs of age (Feb. 8).
In addition, the bodies of the following individuals have been recovered so far:
- A girl, around 3 yrs of age (Feb. 7)
- A man, around 40 yrs of age 40s (Feb. 8)
- A boy, around 17 yrs of age (Feb. 8)
- An infant, around 4 months old (Feb. 8), and
- A woman, around 30 yrs of age.
The rescue and recovery operations are continuing, the Fire Brigade said.
Meanwhile, a second EMAK team has left Thessaloniki for Turkey on Wednesday evening.
READ MORE: Turkey is reportedly blocking access to Twitter following devastating earthquakes.
