Two major earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş in southern Turkey hit 10 provinces of the country and northwest Syria on Monday, February 6, 2023. Like the first, the second earthquake caused the collapse of many buildings and put rescuers in danger. The death toll in Turkey and Syria so far has surpassed 5,000. On Tuesday, February 7, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said that the death toll from the earthquakes had risen to 3,419 and 20,532 people were injured. Meanwhile, at least 1,600 people were killed in Syria and about 3,500 injured, according to figures from the Damascus government and rescue workers in the rebel-controlled northwestern regions. The earthquakes prompted Turkey to declare a level 4 emergency state, which includes an international call for help. Many nations from all over the world have pledged aid, and some have already sent search and rescue teams.

International organizations

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that UN staff was on the ground in Turkey and Syria to assess the needs of the situation and provide assistance. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi voiced solidarity with those affected in Turkey and Syria, and said the agency was “ready to help provide urgent relief to the survivors through our field teams wherever possible.” The World Health Organization director-general, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said emergency medical teams had been activated to provide essential health care for the injured and most vulnerable. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg voiced solidarity with Turkey and tweeted, “I am in touch with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and NATO Allies are mobilizing support now.” The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching immediate assistance from their Disaster Response Emergency Fund...   Read more on Politics Today: World Stands in Solidarity with Turkey Following Earthquake [Politics Today, February 7, 2023]