ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday hailed American support following the devastating Feb. 6 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria.
In a joint press conference with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, Blinken said the US government responded to the disaster “within hours” and has so far sent hundreds of personnel and supplies.
But he said even ordinary Americans had reacted to “heartbreaking” images from the earthquake zone, where nearly 45,000 people had died.
“We have nearly $80 million in private sector donations in the United States, (from) individuals. When I visited the Turkish Embassy in Washington, I almost couldn’t get through the front door because the boxes were piled high in the embassy’s driveway,” Blinken said.
“Turkey has a long way to go to support and rebuild the homeless… and we are committed to providing support.”
Cavusoglu hailed US support after the 7.8 magnitude quake.
“I want to thank them for not abandoning us during these challenging times,” he said.
Blinken also commented on reports that China is considering military support for Russia in its war in Ukraine.
“We are concerned that China is considering providing lethal aid to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, something we are monitoring very, very closely,” he said.
He reiterated that there would be “real consequences…if China provided lethal aid to Russia” or helped Moscow “systematically” circumvent sanctions, saying there was “real concern that China is considering doing just that.”
Without explaining these consequences, Blinken added that other countries, not just the US, would take similar action.
Blinken is making his first trip to NATO ally Turkey since his appointment two years ago. On Sunday, he took Cavusoglu on a helicopter tour over Hatay, one of the provinces hardest hit by the earthquake.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Blinken said on Monday. “Countless buildings, communities, roads damaged or completely destroyed.”
He also met with US and Turkish military personnel and aid workers at Incirlik Air Base near Adana. They have worked to provide vital aid and support to the disaster area. Blinken pledged another $100 million in aid to help Turkey and Syria. President Joe Biden announced $85 million for Turkey and Syria days after the earthquake.
Incirlik, home of the US Air Force’s 39th Air Base Wing, was a major logistics center for the distribution of relief supplies. Aid supplies from all over the world were flown into the base and sent by truck and helicopter to those in need, including in hard-to-reach villages.
Describing his meeting with U.S. relief officials and the base-base military and search and rescue teams “from Los Angeles to Fairfax County in Virginia,” Blinken added, “You all saw the harrowing toll of this disaster. They are all committed to being there for our friends in this moment.”
Blinken is scheduled to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later on Monday. In addition to the effects of the earthquake, they are also expected to discuss Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO bids, which Turkey has delayed, and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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Andrew Wilks reported from Istanbul.
Suzan Fraser and Andrew Wilks, The Associated Press
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