Skip to main content

US Announces $85 Million In Aid For Earthquake-Hit Turkey, Syria

US Announces $85 Million In Aid For Earthquake-Hit Turkey, Syria

Turkey Earthquake: The United States has already sent rescue teams to Turkey.

Washington:

The United States on Thursday announced an initial $85 million package for emergency relief after a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The US Agency for International Development said that the funding will go to partners on the ground "to deliver urgently needed aid for millions of people" including through food, shelter and emergency health services.

The funding will also support safe drinking water and sanitation to prevent the outbreak of disease, USAID said in a statement.

The announcement comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier Thursday spoke by telephone with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss the NATO ally's needs.

"We are proud to join the global efforts to help Turkey just as Turkey has so often contributed its own humanitarian rescue experts to so many other countries in the past," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters as he described the call.

The United States has already sent rescue teams to Turkey and has contributed concrete breakers, generators, water purification systems and helicopters, officials said.

USAID said that rescue teams were focused on badly hit Adiyaman, seeking survivors with dogs, cameras and listening devices.

Following major damage to roads and bridges, the US military has sent Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters to transfer supplies, it said.

Assistance in Syria is going through local partners as the United States refuses to deal with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as Washington demands accountability over abuses during the brutal civil war.

An aid convoy earlier Thursday reached rebel-held northwestern Syria for the first time since the earthquake, going through the only open border crossing -- Bab al-Hawa on the Turkish side.

Russia, the key international backer of Assad, has wielded its veto power at the UN Security Council to stop other crossings and authorize Bab al-Hawa only six months at a time as it tries to promote the sovereignty of the Damascus government.

"We call on the Assad regime to immediately allow aid in through all border crossings and to let humanitarians access all Syrians in need without exceptions," Price said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

"Vajpayee Had Used Word": Congress's M Kharge On Remarks Being Deleted

Adblock test (Why?)



from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/1oOjb5k https://ift.tt/Zdy3hkn
via IFTTT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Salaries Of 12700 Punjab Teachers Tripled After Regularisation

Punjab government has tripled the salaries of 12,700 teachers, who were regularised recently. Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the salaries of 12,700 teachers, who were regularised recently, have been increased by up to three times. In a statement here, Mr Mann said these teachers will be known as associate teachers and special inclusive teachers, adding that they will be governed by a 'Policy for Welfare of Adhoc, Contractual, Temporary Teachers (Nation Builders) and other employees in the School Education Department'. Based on their educational qualifications and primary conditions for entry into services, their emoluments have been fixed up to the completion of 58 years in service. Mr Mann said these teachers will be entitled to an increment of 5 per cent on their salaries every year. The chief minister said BA pass education providers (associate teachers) who were hitherto getting Rs 9,500 per month will now get Rs 20,500 as an emolum...

"Mandir" Tag To Health Centers Sparks Backlash In Ladakh

The new signages of Ayushman Health Centres raised eyebrows in Ladakh. Srinagar: The renaming of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness centers as Ayushman Arogya Mandir has sparked backlash in Ladakh. After red flag by Ladakh Buddhist Association, the BJP ruled Ladakh Autonomous Council has asked the Lieutenant Governor to "respect public sentiment". "I am taking the liberty to express my concerns, as well as of the public, regarding the recent renaming of the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness centers to Ayushman Arogya Mandir," Tashi Gyalson, Chairman cum Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, wrote to Lieutenant Governor, Brig (Retired) B.D. Mishra. "It has come to my attention that this change has generated significant resentment among the public, necessitating prompt attention and resolution," wrote Mr Gyalson. Referring to Health ministry directive, Mr Gyalson, who is also a senior BJP leader, said it was stip...

Mob Attacks Hindu Procession In Maharashtra's Thane, Case Filed: Cops

The incident took place on Sunday night on Lodha Road, police said. (Representational) Thane: A mob of 50-60 persons was booked by Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar police in Thane district for allegedly assaulting a man who was part of a procession on the eve of the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, an official said. The incident took place on Sunday night on Lodha Road and as per the complainant the mob armed with iron rods, sticks, bats shouted religious slogans and assaulted him when he was part of a procession comprising three vehicles and 10 two-wheelers, the official said. They vandalised the car with stones and sticks, the man said in his complaint to Naya Nagar police station. "A case of attempt to murder and other offences has been registered against a mob of 50-60 persons. Further probe is underway," the official added. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Adblock test (Wh...