Canada to match Red Cross donations for quake relief in Turkey, Syria

Feb 8, 2023 | Headlines, News

More than 11,000 people have been killed, and thousands injured after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday. Rescue teams and residents in the affected areas have been working since to find signs of life in the rubble of thousands of toppled buildings.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a statement made in Ottawa on Tuesday, said that “Canada stands ready to assist,”

On Wednesday in a tweet, the prime minister said, “the people of Türkiye and Syria need our help — we’re matching donations — up to $10 million.”

So far, the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal by the Canadian Red Cross has gained traction and support throughout the country following the prime minister’s announcement, the Red Cross told Humber News on Wednesday.

“We welcome The Government of Canada’s announcement. We know this donation will heavily support the relief efforts that are going on in Turkey and Syria,” said Jamie Hofing, a spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross, told Humber News.

“This is a devastating situation, seeing the videos and pictures that are coming back — it is very sad and extremely tragic,” he said.

“We are in the winter months and many homes have been destroyed leaving thousands of people homeless in below zero temperatures, without protection from the element,” said Hofing.

Hofing also said his organization is working with its affiliates in Turkey and Syria and other aid support groups to provide aid for residents.

“This is a great example of the strength of the Red Cross Red Crescent has in societies around the world- we are able to immobilize and move quickly in these situations to help those impacted,” Hofing said.

The prime minister has not said whether there will be volunteers sent from Canada to assist in the rescue attempts and aid support, but he said Canadian monetary support should kickstart and possibly offset physical aid.

“We have teams from the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent who have been providing vital humanitarian aid on the ground for those impacted since the earthquake first struck,” said Hofing.

“The Turkish Red Crescent immediately mobilized over 2,000 personnel — the Syrian Red Crescent has mobilized 3500 personnel in addition to 30 ambulances,” Hofing said.

As weather conditions worsen in the region with temperatures below freezing in places and with rain, the search for survivors continues.

Rescuers can be seen in the snow and rain, removing children and even the disabled from buildings that have been damaged.

Other countries such as South Korea, India and the United States have have already sent emergency workers to assist with emergencies.

The Red Cross said it continues to provide emergency relief items such as water, blankets, winter tents, heaters, and sleeping bags and is urging Canadians to support if they can do so.