QRCS allocates $1m for initial relief operations in quake-affected Turkey, Syria

Feb 9, 2023

The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), one of the first organisations to rush to the aid of quake-affected people in Turkey and Syria, has allocated $1 million from its Disaster Response Fund to begin emergency relief interventions in the two countries.

#الهلال_الأحمر_القطري يخصص مليون دولار من صندوق الاستجابة للكوارث لتنفيذ إغاثة عاجلة لصالح المتضررين من الزلزال في تركيا والشمال السوري مع إطلاق حملة جمع تبرعات بقيمة 10 ملايين $ لتوسيع نطاق التدخل الإغاثي في قطاعات الصحة والإيواء والتغذية والمياه والإصحاحhttps://t.co/9yxysOdZhO pic.twitter.com/AebZFloMTv
— الهلال الأحمر القطري (@QRCS) February 8, 2023

They have also launched a $10m humanitarian fundraising campaign to expand the scope of relief intervention in health care, shelter, water, food and sanitation.

People who wish to donate to the cause can do so here.

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So far, QRCS deployed four mobile clinics in Idlib, Al Dana, western Aleppo countryside, and Jisr Al Shughur for emergency medical services as well as psychological support for people at temporary shelters.

Their personnel have also been contributing to search and rescue operations. Four QRCS personnel had recently lost their lives during rescue operations.

In the coming days, the organisation will deploy more specialist medical professionals from Doha to northern Syria.

QRCS has also called for material donations from people living in Qatar. The donated materials can be put in transparent bags and delivered to Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center (Building 118, Street 813, Zone 66, in Al Dafna, Doha) between 9am and 5pm, it said in a tweet.

The donated materials can be put in transparent bags (if possible) & delivered to the address of Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center (Building 118, Street 813, Zone 66, in Al-Dafna, Doha) between 9 am and 5 pm pic.twitter.com/nSjxlBEMla
— الهلال الأحمر القطري (@QRCS) February 8, 2023

Meanwhile, the Qatar Fund for Development joined hands with the QRCS and Qatar Charity to deliver 108 tonnes of urgent aid to Turkey and Syria on Wednesday. The supplies were flown in using three airplanes via the Qatari Emiri Air Force air bridge.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had given the directive to start the air bridge to provide all necessary support to the two countries.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the air bridge would include 120 personnel, 12 vehicles, integrated equipment to support search and rescue operations, three field hospitals, an integrated first aid medical team, humanitarian aid, food, winter clothes, family tents and medical aid.

Qatar had also allocated 10, 000 mobile homes for those affected by the earthquake.

Elsewhere, Qatari international search and rescue group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) began operations after arriving at the Adana airport in Turkey. They are coordinating with local Turkish authorities in southern Turkey.