By Sue-Ann Wayow
MORE than 11,000 people have died and 3,000 buildings destroyed in the earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria on Monday.
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7, following which there was another large earthquake and multiple aftershocks.
In northwest Syria, at least 325 buildings have been partially damaged and 224 were completely destroyed in 17 subdistricts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has activated the Emergency Medical Team network to provide support from trained teams, and pre-positioned trauma supplies have been released.
On Tuesday, at WHO’s Executive Board briefing by Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, he said that the earthquake shows that nations needed to strengthen their response to emergencies and that aid was being sent to those countries.
Love, sympathy, support
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar in a media release on Monday said she was deeply saddened by the devastating loss of lives in both countries.
She said, “Many Trinidadians and Tobagonians have an ancestral bond with both Syria and Turkey and may have relatives affected by this tragedy. I wish to express my love, sympathy and support to our Turkish and Syrian communities in this time of crisis.
“My deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in this disaster. I hope that the survivors are found quickly and wish them a speedy recovery. May God grant all persons affected, comfort, peace and solace in this very difficult time.”
Member of Parliament for Oropouche West Davendranath Tancoo wrote to the Ambassador of Turkey’s office in St. Clair expressing sympathy and condolences.
He wrote that he was also impressed with the urgency of the response of the Government of Turkey who managed to have resources on the ground almost immediately.
Tancoo stated, “It is my prayer that the people of Turkey be spared further loss and that the intentional community responds with alacrity in the rescue and subsequent rebuilding efforts.”
The MP also availed himself to be of assistance if requested.
