ROME, FEBRUARY 11 – The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent aid in response to the devastating impact of the earthquakes of 6 February in Turkey and Syria. A shipment of 4 ambulances accompanied by 14 doctors, as well as drugs and medical materials left Pisa airport and landed in Beirut in order to be transferred overland by the Red Crescent for assistance to the population of Syria.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, also ordered new teams to be dispatched by the Italian Embassy in Ankara and the Farnesina Crisis Unit. Throughout the past hours, a first team from the Embassy was sent to Kahramanmaraş in order to support the search for compatriot Angelo Zen, while a second one is arriving in Antioch to work in close contact with the Italian Civil Protection. They will also provide assistance to the family of Syrian-Italians whose bodies were found today. This morning a special flight set up by the Civil Protection arrived in Turkey carrying a team from the Crisis Units, the Carabinieri and Forensics to carry out further research in Kahramanmaraş.
Yesterday, the Italian Cooperation, following a the proposal from Minister Tajani and Deputy Minister Cirielli, ordered two emergency contributions worth €1.75 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCRCS) in response to the tragedy: €1 million is intended to support the activities of the Turkish Red Crescent, while €750,000 will support the Syrian Red Crescent for assistance activities in the areas of first emergency and reception, sanitation and protection. This funding adds up to the million euros already allocated to the Syrian Red Crescent for first aid operations. (@OnuItalia)
