Is more aid being sent to Turkey than Syria following the earthquake?

As offers of aid from countries across the globe have poured in after this week’s earthquake tragedy, a stark divide can be seen in the offers for Turkey and those for Syria.

Years of civil war in Syria, fragmented control of territory and condemnation of the country’s ruling regime’s treatment of its people have created difficulties in getting aid into the country.

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In the list of countries providing aid so far, detailed below, Sky News looks at what has been promised to each of Turkey and Syria.

UK:

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised his Turkish counterpart the UK’s “steadfast support” for the people of Turkey as they continue to search for their loved ones.

A 77-strong British search and rescue team has been sent to Gaziantep with specialist equipment and search dogs to help.

For Syria, the UK has also increased its funding to emergency organisation the White Helmets and will assist with other agencies.

US and Mexico:

Despite a strained domestic budget situation, President Joe Biden says the US is sending two search and rescue teams – 158 people in total – to Turkey to assist after the earthquake, along with dogs.

Mexico has promised rescue workers and equipment for Turkey as it joins nations responding to the crisis.

European Union and other European nations:

Some 19 EU states, along with Albania and Montenegro, have combined to send 1,185 people as part of 27 teams to Turkey, including two dedicated medical teams.

For Syria, it has promised water and sanitation relief, blankets, hygiene items and funding for humanitarian organisations.

The member countries involved include: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

Moldova has promised 55 rescue workers for Turkey.

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Russia is preparing to send rescue teams to Syria, where Russian military forces deployed in that country already have sent 10 units comprising 300 people to help clear debris and search for survivors.

Russia has also offered help to Turkey, which has been accepted.

Serbia has pledged to send 21 rescuers and three liaison officers to Turkey.

Switzerland promised at least 102 search and rescue staff along with 14 specially-trained dogs to Turkey.

United Nations:

The UN says it has deployed more than 50 emergency response and search and rescue teams to the region as part of its earthquake response.

However, its aid to Syria has had to be paused due to poor road conditions and logistics problems.

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund has also released $25m (£20.6m) in financial aid.

The UN says its Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund, which allocated $138m in 2022, is currently depleted and requires donors to further support 2023 activities with a focus on the earthquake response.

Africa:

Algeria has pledged to send 89 personnel as well as 210 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Turkey.

Tunisia has promised to donate 14 tonnes of blankets and food, and has appealed for volunteer medics for Turkey.

Asia:

China will donate £4.9m to the relief effort in Turkey and has sent rescue personnel to assist with the response. The Chinese Red Cross has also pledged £167,000 to each of Turkey and Syria.

India has sent 100 people to help with the emergency operation including dog squads, as well as relief resources. Doctors and paramedics were preparing to travel to the region as well. This is all earmarked for Turkey.

Japan has promised 75 people to help with the response in Turkey.

Malaysia has pledged to send 70 people to assist in Turkey.

Pakistan said it would send a 52-person search and rescue team and an urban search and rescue team, which includes specialists, sniffer dogs, search equipment, and a medical team comprising army doctors, nursing staff and technicians to Turkey.

Additionally, it promised 25 tonnes of relief goods, including a mobile hospital to Turkey.

South Korea said it would send 60 search and rescue personnel as well as medical supplies and £4.2m in financial aid to Turkey.

Taiwan pledged to despatch 40 search and rescue experts to the region as well as £167,000 in financial aid to Turkey.

Middle East:

Israel has promised 150 engineers, medics and other aid workers.

Jordan is sending aid aircraft to Turkey and Syria on Wednesday to help with the emergency, while land convoys with drugs and medical supplies are due to depart on Thursday.

Lebanon, still reeling from the Beirut explosion disaster, is sending emergency responders to Turkey to help.

Qatar said it would send 120 rescue workers as well as a field hospital, relief aid, tents and water supplies to Turkey.

The United Arab Emirates pledged to send search and rescue teams and medical equipment, as well as to establish a field hospital for Turkey.

For Syria, it has pledged £11.4m in humanitarian aid, promised medical equipment and is sending search and rescue teams.

Oceania:

New Zealand has donated £527,000 to the Turkish Red Crescent and £264,000 to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

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