The first Saudi relief plane arrived at Adana airport in Turkiye as part of the Saudi airlift dispatched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Turkiye and Syria has risen to more than 17,100 as of Thursday amid slim hopes of finding survivors under the rubble.
Sahem platform collected about SR144 million, donated by nearly 400,000 people in Saudi Arabia, to support those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkiye.
KSRelief, Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian arm, announced the arrival of two relief planes at the Turkish airport in Adana, within the Saudi air bridge, carrying specialized ambulance and rescue teams from several Saudi ministries and departments, as well as voluntary groups to participate in helping those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
The Center explained that the second relief plane carried 98 tons of relief supplies, including food baskets, tents, shelter bags, blankets, and rugs, in addition to medical supplies.
The Saudi air bridge would continue to send aid to those affected by the earthquake based on the assessment of the field teams in the affected areas.
KSRelief spokesman Samer al-Jetaily confirmed that there are over 20 million people in need of aid in Turkiye and Syria, with thousands still under the rubble in both countries.
Jetaily commended the Saudi support and donations, saying the Center would continue to impact people’s lives, just as the Kingdom has done in all crises worldwide.
He pointed out that the aid focused in the first phase on urgent relief and was concerned with the health sectors, medicines, and medical supplies, adding that the aid team included the Saudi Red Crescent, volunteer Saudi doctors from King Salman Center, and 90 members of the Saudi Civil Defense.
The official explained that a standard food basket has enough supplies for seven people for a month, and the supplied tents are insulated and protected from rain and snow.
The Center coordinates with all agencies operating in Turkiye or Syria.
Advisor at the Royal Court and KSRelief General Supervisor Abdullah al-Rabeeah explained that the campaign included implementing various programs, shelter, food, and health supplies based on the assessment of the aid teams.
Rabeeah asserted that Saudi humanitarian work is not linked to any political, religious, or military agenda, adding that since its establishment, the KSRelief has worked to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people without linking its assistance to any specific plan.
The relief consignment that the Center would dispatch to Syria will cover all the affected areas, Rabeeah said, adding that he started communicating with all Syria organizations before the campaign's launch to render assistance.
The World Health Organization warned that the number of people affected by the earthquake might reach 23 million, including those in Syria, five million of whom are in a fragile situation.
