The Welsh Government is contributing £300,000 to help with assistance operations in Syria and Turkey.
Since the initial strong 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday, there have reportedly been about 16,000 fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries.
Since then, the survivors have been exposed to bitter winter weather without shelter. 380,000 individuals, according to the Turkish government, have sought shelter in hotels or shelters run by the government.
While launching the Turkey and Syria Crisis Appeal with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and its member charities on the steps of the Senedd, the Minister said: “This is a deeply sad and devastating event, and my condolences are with those who have lost loved ones.
“My thoughts are also with the injured as well as Turkish and Syrian people in Wales waiting apprehensively for news. I’m grateful to people from all across Wales who are already offering all manner of support.
“The scale of destruction is vast, and I’d like to thank the brave search and rescue teams who continue to search through the rubble for survivors including firefighters from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, who are part of a team of 77 UK International Search and Rescue experts providing specialist skills and equipment to help locate and rescue survivors.
“Our International Strategy sets out our ambition to establish Wales as a globally responsible nation. With humanitarian need only expected to grow in Turkey and Syria, this financial support will go towards ensuring the urgent aid that people need to survive can be provided.”
DEC charities and their local partners were among the first responders working with local relief efforts. Immediate priorities include access to food and clean water as well as medical treatment and shelter. The DEC appeal will also raise money to go towards longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction.
DEC Cymru’s External Relations Manager, Siân Stephen, added: “In Turkey alone, 6,000 buildings including schools and health centres have collapsed, with infrastructure vital to everyday life such as sanitation and water supplies badly damaged.
“Of course, we know that money is tight for many people here in the UK as the cost-of-living crisis continues, but if you can, please do donate to support people caught up in this deadly disaster.”
