Disasters: Magnitude 5 earthquake shakes south-east Turkey

disasters
Magnitude 5 earthquake shakes south-east Turkey

The earthquake catastrophe began on February 6th. According to Turkish sources, there have been more than 7,000 aftershocks since then. photo

© Emrah Gurel/AP/dpa

Another strong earthquake shook the Turkish province of Hatay. Apparently nobody was injured. According to the Red Cross, aid is difficult even more than two weeks after the first earthquake.

A magnitude 5 earthquake has shaken the southeastern Turkish province of Hatay. This was announced by the Kandilli seismic authority on Thursday. The epicenter of the quake was therefore in the district of Defne. Initially, no casualties or damage were reported. The province was already marked by the devastating double earthquake two and a half weeks ago.

The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes on February 6 have been followed by 8,550 aftershocks so far, according to the Turkish disaster agency Afad. Several of them had a strength of more than 6.

According to official figures, more than 49,000 people have died in Turkey and Syria. According to the Turkish government, more than 164,000 buildings have either been badly damaged or collapsed and urgently need to be demolished.

The German Red Cross (DRK) previously drew attention to logistical problems with the help. It is very, very difficult to reach all areas, said Christof Johnen, responsible for international cooperation at the DRK, today on ZDF’s “Morgenmagazin”.

“We don’t get to all areas on the scale to provide assistance that is needed,” Johnen said. This is also due to the consequences of the earthquakes. In addition, the political situation in the region is “highly complex”.

More than 7000 aftershocks

The disaster began on February 6, when two earthquakes measuring 7.7 and a little later measuring 7.6 shook southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. This was followed by more than 7,000 aftershocks, according to Turkish sources.

Johnen called for supporting the victims of the earthquake disaster with monetary donations instead of donations in kind. “It’s always the case that the local people know best what they need. We can hardly assess that from afar. So please don’t donate anything, just donate money.”

The sums that would be donated daily are reported to be decreasing. But that is normal. However, the disaster is not over yet, as Johnen pointed out. “People in Turkey and Syria will need help for a long time to come.”

EU changes Syria sanctions for faster aid deliveries

Meanwhile, the EU wants to facilitate aid deliveries to sanctioned Syria. In view of the severity of the humanitarian crisis, the decision was taken to adjust the punitive measures and thus enable the rapid delivery of relief supplies, the Council of the EU states announced. In concrete terms, aid organizations will no longer need approval from the responsible EU states for the delivery of humanitarian goods and services to sanctioned persons and institutions. The change will apply for six months.

The EU reiterated that existing sanctions target Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, his supporters and certain sectors of the economy. There are far-reaching exceptions to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid in all parts of the country. The export of food, medicines and medical equipment as well as the Syrian health system are also not affected.

The EU has currently sanctioned 291 individuals and 70 companies for the ongoing violent repression of the civilian population. The civil war in the country has been going on since 2011.

dpa

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