India has deployed relief aid and rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the crisis-struck countries — Turkey and Syria. The move comes amid the WHO warning that the death toll in Turkey could eventually rise up to eight times the current figure of 4,000.
The earthquake and its aftershocks were reported to be magnitudes 7.8, 7.6, and 6, respectively since Monday. Images and videos show widespread damage, with buildings completely breaking down. Local authorities fear that thousands, alive or dead, continue to be trapped under the debris.
Indian Army has mobilised Medical Team to Earthquake Hit #Turkey. Hours after announcement of disaster relief, Indian Army mobilised a Field Hospital to provide medical support to the affected people in the region. Agra based Army Field Hospital has despatched an 89 member team. pic.twitter.com/hD2ghqTRZI
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 7, 2023
India’s Rescue and Relief Assistance
According to a Monday release by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi deployed the NDRF on PM Narendra Modi’s instruction. To this end, two groups of 100 personnel from the NDRF, two trained dog squads, and necessary rescue and search equipment will be sent to Turkey. The teams, along with relief material, were instructed to depart immediately.
The first relief assistance was sent early Tuesday at around 3 a.m. via the Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft. Another C-17 flight was scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. By the end of the day, a source cited by The Hindu highlighted that two additional C-17 aircraft will leave for Turkey, carrying 60 field hospital personnel.
India's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilites in action.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) February 6, 2023
The 1st batch of earthquake relief material leaves for Türkiye, along with NDRF Search & Rescue Teams, specially trained dog squads, medical supplies, drilling machines & other necessary equipment. pic.twitter.com/pB3ewcH1Gr
India plans to deploy a medical team with trained doctors and paramedics with essential medicines.
To achieve this, India is coordinating with the government of Turkey, the Indian embassy in Ankara, and the Consulate General office in Istanbul.
Additionally, India intends to send relief material to Syria, which also felt the earthquake’s devastating impact, with at least 1,444 dead. The C-130 departing for Damascus was delayed and will now leave later today. However, the aircraft will have only medicines and no personnel for relief operations.
Turkey Responds
Turkish ambassador to India, Firat Sunel, expressed gratitude for the relief, using a Turkish proverb that loosely translated to: “A friend in need is a friend in deed.”
Anguished by the loss of lives and damage of property due to the Earthquake in Turkey. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. India stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey and is ready to offer all possible assistance to cope with this tragedy. https://t.co/vYYJWiEjDQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 6, 2023
PM Modi’s Address
Just hours before the relief and assistance were deployed, PM Modi addressed the Energy Week 2023 at Bengaluru, Karnataka and bemoaned the earthquake. He said that amid the “tragic deaths” and “extensive damage” in Turkey and its neighbouring countries, India is extending “all possible help.”
International Community Unites in Support
Several countries rushed to support Turkey’s relief and rescue efforts.
The EU activated its EU Civil Response Coordinate Mechanism, deploying ten search and rescue teams to assist Turkey’s first responders. The teams came from Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania.
Greece also separately deployed rescue teams and supplies on a C-130 plane. The two countries have put aside their historic animosity and tensions to assist the relief operations.
In the wake of the earthquake in #Turkey this morning, we have activated the #EUCivilProtectionMechanism.
— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) February 6, 2023
The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is coordinating the deployment of rescue teams from Europe.
Teams from the #Netherlands & #Romania are already on their way.
Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had sent earthquake relief to Syria after receiving a request through diplomatic channels despite having no relations with the neighbouring country. However, Syria “ridiculed and denied the allegations” and refused reports that Damascus had sought help from “an entity that has killed” its people for decades.
Other countries that have already committed relief and rescue assistance to Turkey and Syria include Japan, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and the UAE.
Meanwhile, countries including China, Germany, Qatar, and Ukraine have vowed to assist in rescue operations. However, the exact nature of their help has not been ascertained.