Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), headed by Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, continues to send additional shipments of humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria. This comes as part of its support for the victims of the earthquake that struck the two countries last week.
In a statement, the government’s Hokometna social platform said that the GNU sent a sixth shipment, which included food, medicine, shelter supplies, and medical equipment for the two peoples.
The platform indicated that the shipment took off from Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, heading to Turkey’s Adna Airport. It noted that they will continue to dispatch further humanitarian and medical aid to Turkey and Syria, in coordination with the Libyan embassies in both countries.
Last week, Libya 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 said that the 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 launched upon orders from Prime Minister Abdul-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 aid plane is also being prepared to be dispatched.
At least 35,418 people were killed and 105,505 others injured in two powerful earthquakes that rocked southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, 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 GNU 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 people 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.”
