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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
India increases its relief to earthquake-affected Syria from 6 to 23 tonnes
India’s humanitarian aid to the earthquake-hit country of Syria continued as the seventh C-17 military plane carrying humanitarian relief material under ‘Operation Dost’ reached the West Asian country.
With the latest flight, India’s aid to the war-ravaged country increased from six to 23 tonnes.
Earlier on February 9, the Syrian Embassy in India had asked the Indians for help. It urged Indians to donate to quake victims in the aftermath of Monday’s earthquake, which devastated Syria and Turkey and killed thousands of people.
“7th #OperationDost flight reached Syria with over 23 tonnes of relief material, including gensets, solar lamps, emergency & critical care medicines, & disaster relief consumables. Received at Damascus airport by Deputy Minister of Local Administration & Environment Moutaz Douaji,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted on Sunday.
After Syria, the C-17 reached Turkey’s Adana airport to deliver humanitarian aid that consists of medical equipment like patient monitors, ECG, syringe pumps and disaster relief material, along with supplies for the Indian teams on the ground.
Like Turkey, Syria also bore the devastating effects of aftershocks and tremors. However, unlike Turkey, aid is reaching war-torn Syria at a slow pace. The country is witnessing a rising number of deaths amid growing problems of food, shelter and clothing shortages.
While bad weather has hampered relief flights, harsh winds and snow are making conditions difficult for survivors.
The destruction of buildings and roads has cut off communication with many parts of the country, including Aleppo and Idlib.
Syria’s response to the disaster has been badly hit by the sanctions. To make matters worse, parts of the war-torn country are under rebel control, some under the terrorist group ISIS, which could take advantage of the disaster.
In its appeal for help, the Syrian Embassy stated, “Syria has been struck by a massive earthquake with 7.7 magnitudes on the Richter scale, which led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.”
“Many buildings collapsed and people are still trapped under the debris. The Syrian government mobilised all its forces to meet the challenges and reach the affected victims, providing them with shelter and essential supplies,” it said.
“We are appealing to our Indian friends from all strata of society to come forward and help,” it added.
It also shared bank accounts and other details, “Any volunteer who would like to donate is welcome to contribute and send his/ her contribution to the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic at D-5/8, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057.
Embassy Account number: 8511990582
Email: [email protected]
The Syrian Embassy highly appreciates your support and kindness in these difficult times.”
Speaking about its needs, the Syrian Embassy said that it needs medical equipment and devices, emergency medicines, blankets, tents, winter clothes, protection and safety tools, among other items, to help people.
Within 48 hours of the earthquake, India dispatched six tonnes of emergency relief assistance. This is not the first time India has helped or supported Syria. In the recent past, India organised medical camps, established an IT centre in Damascus and provided scholarships to over 1500 Syrian students to study in various streams in India.
