MUSCAT: One month after the deadly earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria claiming more than 50,000 lives, the countries are in the process of rebuilding the affected areas, building new homes for those who are still in the rehabilitation camps while efforts are on to remove the wreckage and debris.
“Things are moving positively, the Syrian government is working in cooperation with friends and brothers across the world, including the Sultanate of Oman in order to heal the wounds and remove the debris of the devastating earthquake despite many external obstacles,” Samer Bakhour from Syrian Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman told the Observer.
Dr. Laila al Najar, Minister of Social Development, expressed her sincere condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims of the earthquake that struck the two countries last month and sent her wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured and reaffirmed that Oman will continue to provide all possible support to Syria to overcome the repercussions of this natural disaster. This was expressed to the diplomatic mission of Syria which was attended by Fattouh Qudsia, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy on Sunday.
“Our state, institutions, and NGOs are still arranging the needs. There are still things and financial needs especially containers while construction of new houses and shelters is going on while volunteers along with government authorities engaged in intense work on wreckage removals,” said a source from the Embassy of Türkiye.
“Unfortunately, death tolls have increased so much in the past few weeks. Additionally, efforts to find bodies of several people who lost their lives continue with the coordination of hospitals, identifying through the photos, and from available data which we received from the relatives during the burial," she added.
Oman extended wholehearted support to the two countries as soon as the disaster struck on February 6, 2023, and built an air bridge to facilitate the support and rehabilitation process. Several flights carried essentials to the quake-hit region and delivered provisions while the Omani Search and Rescue Team of the Civil Defence and Ambulances Authority (CDAA) sent officials to support the rescue and rehabilitation operations.
Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO), the country's only official channel for collecting funds, started an account for those affected in the quakes and is still receiving donations. One can donate to the victims' families and take part in helping to rebuild the nations either through the OCO or by approaching the respective embassies.
The NSRT team returned home on February 22 after carrying out extensive, strenuous, and humanitarian efforts over a period of fifteen days, and after representing in search and rescue operations, first aid, and assistance to those affected by the massive quakes.
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