KUWAIT: The Turkish Embassy in Kuwait organized a solemn event on Feb 6, 2024 to remember the victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on the same date the previous year. The two earthquakes claimed the lives of approximately 55,000 people in a single day, while others suffered severe injuries and displacement. As part of the commemoration, attendees stood for a minute of silence to pay tribute to the souls lost in the tragedy.

“Today marks the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey on the 6th of February, 2023. These were the largest earthquakes recorded in the past 500 years, impacting 11 cities and causing extensive damage across 70,000 square kilometers. The severity of the situation was compounded by harsh winter weather conditions, with many roads covered in snow and temperatures plummeting. These challenges made rescue operations even more difficult,” Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Tuba Nur Sonmez said.

“The Turkish government acted immediately and received international assistance, including aid from Kuwait delivered on the very next day. Kuwait also sent firefighters to support the relief efforts. We are grateful for the generosity and the quick response of the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Sabah and the Kuwaiti people,” she added.

“Kuwait’s assistance is ongoing and various non-governmental organizations continue to support the affected communities as they face ongoing struggles. Some individuals, especially from Hatay, one of the most affected areas, have even sought refuge in Kuwait after losing their jobs, shops and possessions in the aftermath of the earthquake. The Kuwaiti aid workers demonstrated great discipline and readiness for their missions in both Turkey and Syria,” Sonmez affirmed. “Over the past year, significant progress has been made in rebuilding and reconstructing heavily populated areas. The construction process has been efficient and is nearing completion,” she concluded.

Nisreen Rubaian, Representative of UNHCR to Kuwait, noted: “UNHCR appreciates the timely and generous aid offered by Kuwait, while we also appeal for continued support to ensure critical humanitarian needs can be met. We take this opportunity to be reminded of the generous support of Kuwait, being amongst the first countries to extend needed support. Kuwait contributed an amount of $17 million through UNHCR to provide life-saving aid. This contribution comes as part of Kuwait’s wider pledge of $97.7 million to support people impacted by the earthquakes through the United Nations organizations and specialized agencies and other international humanitarian organizations.”

Rubaian further elaborated on efforts in both Syria and Turkey. “In Syria, UNHCR has been delivering protection assistance — including psychosocial support — to more than 311,000 people affected by the earthquakes. It has also been providing shelter support, cash assistance and other aid to those affected. In 2023, UNHCR distributed relief items to more than 68,000 families across earthquake-affected areas in Syria. In government-controlled areas of Aleppo and Latakia, UNHCR and partners rehabilitated collective shelters, providing shelter to over 3,000 individuals. UNHCR provided cash assistance to people affected in Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, and Tartous governorates, benefiting more than 16,000 families,” she said.

“In Turkey, in support of the state-led response, UNHCR has provided over 3 million relief items at the request of the government, including tents, containers, hygiene kits, bedding and warm clothing for refugees and local residents in temporary accommodation centers. It also supported protection activities for more than 500,000 individuals – including legal counseling, identification and referral of people with specific needs, psychosocial support and cash assistance,” Rubaian added.