Germany doubles its aid to those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Germany has announced that it will double its aid for survivors of the deadly earthquakes that struck the border region on February 6.

“We want to make it clear that we as a global community see this disaster and support the people,” Foreign Minister Analina Berbuk said yesterday during a visit to southeastern Turkey.

Germany will provide an additional $53 million to the two countries, $33 million to Turkey and $17 million to northern Syria.

The death toll in both countries exceeded 47,000, thousands were injured, and homes were destroyed.

Earlier this week, Doctors Without Borders issued an urgent appeal to help the residents of northwest Syria, where people are sleeping in schools, gyms and mosques.

The Medical Charitable Society called for an immediate increase in aid, especially shelters and medical supplies.

Read: The true heroes of humanity in Turkey and Syria deserve our thanks

Berbock said the Syrian regime “continues to obstruct the efforts of the United Nations” even though the crossings have already been opened and Germany is trying to get all possible help.

And the Secretary-General of the United Nations said, in a press conference held yesterday in New York, that three crossings have been opened to deliver aid to northwestern Syria.

Last week, Germany announced that it was offering temporary three-month visas to all earthquake-affected people so they could stay with their families. “We want to allow Turkish or Syrian families in Germany to bring their relatives from the disaster area to their homes without red tape,” Interior Minister Nancy Weser said at the time.

However, the visa scheme has been criticized because applicants need a valid passport and a biometric photo, which is difficult because many homes have been destroyed by earthquakes.

About 924,000 Syrians have lived in Germany since they were welcomed into the country at the height of the refugee crisis in 2015. About three million people of Turkish origin live in Germany.