ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The people and government of Pakistan have extended deep grief to the brotherly Countries of Turkiye and Syria hit by a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake, leaving hundreds dead and injured as buildings collapsed across the region.
“We stand firm with the people in distress and would seek all we can, for extending our material and moral support,” Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said while expressing solidarity in his exclusive comments and messages on multiple media platforms to the respective governments and the people.
24 hours after the devastating earthquake hit Turkiye & Syria, scenes of death & destruction are mind numbing. It breaks the heart to witness sheer scale of unfolding human tragedy. Solidarity should translate into tangible & timely material support for suffering humanity.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 7, 2023
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt General Inam Haider Malik dispatched three tons emergency relief consignment along with search and rescue team of Pakistan Army to Turkiye and Syria through PAF C-130.
On directions of the prime minister, the NDMA has made arrangements for early provision of rescue and relief articles.
The Team NDMA along with Pakistan Armed Forces and Federal stakeholders is in constant communication with the diplomatic channels at both ends.
In first phase Urban Search & Rescue teams (USAR) from 1122 and Pakistan Army are being dispatched, along with winterized tents and blankets.”
A national delegation will also visit said countries to show solidarity and assess the damages for further assistance.
As directed by the prime minister, “Pakistan is ready to provide all needed assistance to Turkiye and Syria at such difficult and challenging times, Pakistan especially cannot forget the extraordinary support by the government and people of Turkiye during floods 2022,” the Chairman NDMA Lt General Inam Haider Malik said.
On special directions of PM, NDMA dispatched humanitarian assistance to earthquake hit Turkiye through PAF C-130 aircraft from Nur Khan Air Base (1/4). pic.twitter.com/e3lxjIQXTO
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) February 7, 2023
Logistics cargo, on special instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, are also been flown on Pak Aviation assets (C130 Air Cargo and PIA Aircrafts).
Besides, additional supplies are also been gathered and will be sent off after developing additional need-based damage assessments and evaluations by NDMA and AFAD.