Libya’s National Government of National Unity (GNU) has dispatched tons of medical supplies to the victims of last week’s two deadly earthquakes in Turkey, according to Anadolu Agency.
The Turkish Ambassador in Tripoli, Kenan Yilmaz told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that Libyan aid has exceeded 15 tons of medical supplies.
“Medical devices, hospital beds, generators, blankets, and heaters were sent to the quake victims as part of the Libyan aid,” Yilmaz added.
Jibril Al-Shteiwi, the Director of the Libyan Defence Minister’s office said an air bridge has been opened, on orders from Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba for the quake victims in Turkey and Syria.
“Four planes loaded with aid have already been sent to Turkey and Syria,” he said, adding that a “fifth plane is also being prepared to be dispatched.”
At least 35,418 people were killed, and 105,505 injured in the two powerful earthquakes that rocked southern Turkey on 6 February, according to the latest official figures.
The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in the Kahramanmaras province, affected more than 13 million people across 10 provinces, including Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.
On Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Najla Al-Mangoush announced that Libya will donate $50 million dollars to Turkey, for the reconstruction of the earthquake-affected states.
This came during the meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu after arriving in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Al-Mangoush expressed her condolences to the Turkish people and government for the victims of the devastating earthquake that affected several provinces in southern Turkey and northern Syria.
The FM confirmed the solidarity and support of the Libyan government and people for the peoples of Turkey and Syria to overcome this ordeal. Al-Mangoush stated that “Turkey has helped Libya in many situations, and it is time for us to help each other in difficult times,” stressing the full support for the Turkish government, “morally and financially.”