Vienna, 6 March 2023 (TDI): The Embassy of Pakistan in Vienna hosted a community meeting to strengthen mutual efforts to assist victims of last month’s devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria.
Members of the community discussed their efforts and contributions to the relief efforts. The meeting reviewed the Embassy’s and the Pakistani Community’s efforts to assist Turkish and Syrian brothers and sisters.
Along these lines, they also deliberated on future steps to maximize support for those in need. In his remarks, Ambassador Aftab Khokher lauded community members who have made generous contributions & have remained at the forefront of efforts.
The Ambassador further stated that Pakistan and Turkiye have long-standing brotherly relations and that the two countries have always stood by each other.
He also stated that the Pakistani government and people have extended all possible assistance to earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria.
Following the earthquake, Pakistan’s government immediately dispatched rescue teams and relief supplies to the two brotherly nations.
He also emphasized the assistance provided by the Turkish community in Vienna in the aftermath of last year’s devastating floods in Pakistan.
It is noteworthy that community members reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to assist earthquake victims during the reconstruction phase.
It was decided that the Embassy, in collaboration with community members, would organize additional events in Ramazan to increase support for earthquake victims.
Earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria
A series of large earthquakes struck southern Turkiye and northern Syria on February 6, 2023, followed by hundreds of aftershocks.
Two devastating earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 struck southeast Turkey in the early hours of Monday, February 6, followed by many aftershocks, killing thousands and injuring many more in the region and neighboring Syria.
This is the deadliest earthquake to hit Turkiye & Syria in over a century. Just two weeks later, on February 20, another earthquake struck the same region. Thousands are at risk due to infrastructure destruction and freezing conditions in the impacted areas.
The earthquakes in Turkiye have had an impact on at least 15 million people in 10 regions, including 1.7 million Syrian refugees who are protected temporarily.
5.3 million Syrians need some type of shelter help; some have lost their homes for the first time while others who had already been displaced by the fighting have been forced to go again.
