Turkey President, WHO Chief Laud UAE's Rescue And Relief Efforts Amid Earthquake Devastation

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have praised the UAE's efforts in providing relief to Turkey and Syria, following the 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck the countries on Feb. 6, killing at least 41,000 people.

Comparing the impact of the quakes to that of a powerful atomic bomb, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan thanked the UAE on Tuesday for its efforts to help rebuild the country.

"You standing with us demonstrated the importance of international solidarity and efforts in times of disasters," he added.

In his speech at the World Government Summit (WGS) 2023, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also praised the UAE for its assistance in sending out food, medicines, and other essential supplies to support on-ground humanitarian efforts in both Turkey and Syria, Khaleej Times reported.

"The UAE is playing a vital role in our work... with flights, medical supplies, and surgical trauma kits," he said. "So far, we have distributed 110 tons of medical supplies to affected areas throughout the Syrian Arab Republic. The UAE is playing an important part in WHO's work around the world on emergency preparedness, response and resilience."

The UAE has till now collected $114.6 million in aid, which includes funds raised by charitable organizations and the authorities. Among the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Saudi Arabia has collected $90.7 million, Qatar $69.4 million and Kuwait $97 million.

The UAE was the first GCC nation to swing into action after the disaster struck. On the day 1 of the earthquakes, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan immediately ordered the deployment of a search-and-rescue team to Turkey and the establishment of a field hospital for the victims, equipped with 50 beds, operating rooms, and a team of at least 75 doctors and nurses. At night, the UAE dispatched its first aid plane from Abu Dhabi, which carried volunteers and medical equipment.

The country has also pledged millions of dollars of financial aid to the disaster-stricken countries, with Al Nahyan launching "Operation Gallant Knight/2" on day 1 to offer assistance to the survivors, and provide $100 million to support Syria and Turkey's relief efforts.

That same day, UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also ordered the immediate dispatch of humanitarian aid worth Dh 50 million to Syria.

At least 70 aid flights have taken off from the UAE to both Turkey and Syria since the deadly quakes hit the countries. The country continues to send relief supplies and dispatch volunteers to carry out search-and-rescue operations in both countries.

With the UAE at the helm, other GCC nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain have also extended assistance and coordinated relief aid campaigns for the victims of the quakes.