In a true sign of philotimo in action despite historic differences, Greece has sent five planes with humanitarian aid to Turkey to support those injured or displaced by the deadly earthquake that struck large parts of south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday, February 6.
Through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, Greece is sending health and medical equipment as well as basic necessities, such as 7,500 blankets, 1,500 beds and 500 tents, which can accommodate families and be used as mobile clinics.
The first two of the five Aegean Airlines flights carrying the humanitarian aid arrived at the Turkish airport of Adana early on Thursday.
Greece’s Civil Protection Minister Christos Stylianides escorted the flights and then returned to Greece to oversee the dispatch of the remaining three.
“I am here as the minister of climate change and civil protection with my team, first of all, to show solidarity to the Turkish people,” Ms Stylianides told Anadolu during his visit.
“We are here with a lot of basic material for civil protection and a lot of medical equipment… in order to relieve a little bit the pain of Turkish people.”
Two more aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from Greece are expected to arrive at Adana Airport during the day, while the fifth and last plane on Friday.
So far, Greece has also sent two search and rescue teams to Turkey as a part of rescue operations.
Greek rescuers have freed a 6-year-old girl from the rubble of her home in the city of Iskenderun on Tuesday, whilst on Wednesday, they also pulled out a surviving 15-year-old boy from the rubble, and another young woman after a six hour effort.
The magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday were felt by 13 million people across 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye and Sanliurfa.
According to the latest official figures on Thursday, more than 19,300 people were killed and 70,347 others injured during the earthquakes.
READ MORE: Turkey backtracks to accept Cyprus’ offer of help in post-earthquake efforts.
