Romanian assistance for Turkey and Syria
120 Romanian rescuers with equipment and transport vehicles are currently on a mission to quake-hit Turkey
Ştefan Stoica, 09.02.2023, 14:00
After the devastating earthquake in Turkey, Romania quickly joined international teams dispatched on the ground to help local rescuers. Bucharest sent two search and rescue teams to the most affected areas in Turkey. Right now, some 120 Romanian rapid response rescuers are on the ground accompanied by 7 search dogs. A second team was dispatched Wednesday evening, in addition to special intervention vehicles. Raed Arafat, the head of the Department for Emergency Situations, gave us more details:
“The first team went in without vehicles, it was easier to pack the equipment separately. Turkish authorities provided them with transport and everything else they needed. But since pressure is mounting on our Turkish peers, we preferred our second team to be mobile so we dispatched vehicles as well, so our teams can travel easily. They will stay there for as long as it is necessary. If we need to rotate our teams or send additional logistic support, we will do so quickly with the help of our Air Force, with the hope we will save as many people as possible. Of course, we will continue to help our colleagues who are facing an unprecedented situation”.
Romanian search and rescue teams are coordinating with the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which has so far deployed 5,000 rescuers to Turkey. As regards Syria, Romania has decided to send humanitarian aid only for the time being, Raed Arafat said. The nature and volume of the assistance as well as its transport will be decided in the coming period, the Romanian official said. On the other hand, the Romanian Foreign Ministry continues to repatriate Romanian citizens from Turkey. Romanias embassy in Ankara is talking to dozens of Romanians who refused to repatriate, but wanted to stay in touch with Romanian authorities or ask questions regarding the latest developments. There are no Romanians among the victims of the quake, the Romanian MFA spokesman Radu Filip has said:
“Fortunately, right now no Romanians have been killed in the quake. Of course, we need to take into account the scale of the disaster and the fact that the situation is evolving rapidly. Weve had requests from Romanian citizens there, whether were talking about groups or individuals. They asked for either consular assistance or to be repatriated. Our colleagues from the embassy will talk to everyone requesting assistance, information or repatriation and follow up on each request, to the extent it is possible”.
No Romanians have so far filed repatriation requests from Syria. (VP)
