Engineers, search dogs sent to Turkey and Syria after earthquakes

Civil engineers, soldiers, paramedics and dog handlers with trained search dogs are making their way to Turkey and Syria to help locate and rescue survivors of Monday’s earthquake. Here is an overview of the help provided:

— The European Union has mobilized search and rescue teams to assist Turkey, while the bloc’s Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide emergency mapping services. At least 13 member countries have offered assistance.

– The United States is coordinating emergency assistance to Turkey, including teams in support of search and rescue efforts. In California, nearly 100 Los Angeles County firefighters and civil engineers were dispatched to Turkey along with six specially trained dogs.

– Russian rescue teams from the Emergencies Ministry have been dispatched to Syria, where the Russian military stationed in that country has already dispatched 10 units totaling 300 people to help clear debris and search for survivors. The Russian military has set up points to distribute humanitarian aid. Russia also offered Turkey help, which was accepted.

– War-ravaged Syria called on the United Nations and its members to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter and food aid. Both the government-held territory and the last opposition-held enclave were damaged by the earthquake.

— The Israeli army is dispatching a search and rescue team of 150 engineers, medical personnel and other workers to provide life-saving assistance to Turkey. The two countries repair ties after years of tension. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he also approved a request for humanitarian aid to Syria. Israel and Syria do not have diplomatic relations.

— Neighbor and historical rival Greece is sending Turkey a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle, along with a civil engineer, five doctors and earthquake planning experts in a military transport plane.

– South Korea will deploy a 60-strong search and rescue team and send medical supplies to Turkey. The government also says it will provide US$5 million in humanitarian aid initially, and the Gyeonggi provincial government plans to provide US$1 million in humanitarian aid.

– Pakistan has sent a flight with relief supplies and another with a 50-strong search and rescue team. The government says daily relief flights to Syria and Turkey will begin on Wednesday.

— Britain is sending 76 search and rescue specialists with equipment and dogs and an emergency medical team to Turkey. The UK also says it is in contact with the UN to get support for victims in Syria.

– India is deploying 100 search and rescue members of its Natural Disaster Task Force to Turkey, along with specially trained canine teams and equipment for relief efforts. Medical teams with trained doctors, paramedics and essential medicines are also ready, the State Department said in a statement.

— The Swiss rescue dog service REDOG is sending 22 rescuers with 14 dogs to Turkey. The government said it would also deploy 80 search and rescue specialists to the country, including army disaster experts.

— The Czech Republic is sending a team of 68 rescuers to Turkey, including firefighters, doctors, civil engineers and also experts with sniffer dogs.

— Japan is sending a group of about 75 rescue workers to Turkey.

– The struggling Lebanese government is sending soldiers, Red Cross and civil defense first responders, and firefighters to Turkey to help with its rescue efforts.

— Germany is preparing deliveries of emergency generators, tents, blankets and water treatment equipment. She has also offered to send teams from the THW disaster protection to Turkey. The International Search and Rescue Germany group also prepared the flight of dozens of doctors and rescue experts to Turkey late Monday.

— Austria has offered to send 84 soldiers from a military disaster control unit to Turkey.

— Spain prepared to deploy two urban search and rescue teams with 85 employees and a contingent of volunteer firefighters to Turkey.

— Poland is sending 76 firefighters and eight trained dogs with equipment to Turkey.

— Romania is sending specialized personnel and material to Turkey on two military planes.

— Croatia is sending 40 employees and 10 dogs, rescue equipment and vans to Turkey.

— Serbia is sending 21 rescuers and three liaison officers to Turkey.

— Montenegro is sending at least 24 firefighters to Turkey.

– Moldova’s president says 55 rescue workers have been sent to Turkey.

— France sends rescue teams to Turkey.

— Jordan is sending emergency aid to Syria and Turkey on the orders of King Abdullah II.

– Mexico’s foreign minister said the country will send equipment and rescue specialists to Turkey.

— Egypt has pledged urgent humanitarian aid to Turkey.

— Italy’s civil defense agency has offered assistance to Turkey. A firefighting team was preparing to depart from Pisa, and the Italian military says transport flights will carry equipment, medical and other personnel.

– New Zealand is providing US$632,000 to the Turkish Red Crescent and US$316,000 to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to deliver items such as food, tents and blankets, as well as provide medical aid and psychological support.

— China’s Red Cross Society is providing US$200,000 each in humanitarian aid to the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Red Crescent.

The Associated Press

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