UAE President orders $50 million extra quake relief

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the provision of an additional $50 million as relief aid for quake-affected people in Syria.

Out of that, $20 million will be allocated to implement humanitarian projects in response to the United Nations (UN) emergency appeal regarding Syria.

The project will be carried out in coordination with the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

The additional aid is a continuation of the UAE's ongoing efforts to support the Syrian people, and to support the efforts of the UN and its partners in providing further relief aid to mitigate the disaster’s fallout.

The UAE President had previously directed providing $50 million to aid those affected by earthquakes in Syria, and an additional $50 million to aid people in Turkey.

Meanwhile, the UAE is continuing, for the tenth consecutive day, to send relief supplies to Syria and Turkey, with a total of 70 flights sent so far.

38 flights have gone to Syria, airlifting about 1,243 tonnes of food and medical aid, in addition to 2,893 tents, enough to shelter around 20,000 people. A search and rescue (SAR) team, comprising 42 rescuers, was sent to Syria to carry out SAR missions in quake-hit areas.

Turkey has accommodated 32 flights, bringing in medical equipment and supplies, and enough shelter material to help 5,000 people.

A field hospital has also been opened in the İslahiye district of Gaziantep, Türkiye, with an inpatient ward comprising 50 fully-equipped beds, operating rooms and a medical team of 75 doctors, nurses and assistants, with another 200-bed hospital recently completed in the Hatay province.

In addition, an SAR team, comprising 92 rescuers, was sent to carry out SAR operations in Kahramanmaraş.

#WamBreaking: #UAEPresident orders providing additional $50 million to aid quake-affected people in #Syria pic.twitter.com/1WSfeFPvE6

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) February 15, 2023