The United States has dispatched more than 150 search and rescue personnel to Turkey in the aftermath of the devastating southeastern earthquake. U.S. officials report that American helicopters are supporting the Turkish response in the most difficult and hard-to-reach regions. Blinken emphasized that Washington remains in close contact with the Turkish government as rescue operations unfold and that U.S.-funded partners in humanitarian relief are coordinating aid through established channels with Turkey and along the Syria border. Source: U.S. Department of State.
As the relief effort continues, American teams work alongside Turkish authorities to locate survivors, provide medical care, and deliver essential supplies to affected communities. The close coordination underscores a shared commitment to rapid, practical assistance in the wake of this disaster. Blinken noted that the United States is aligning its response with the needs identified by Turkish authorities and humanitarian partners on the ground. Source: U.S. Department of State.
In Turkey and Syria, the early February earthquakes triggered a broad humanitarian crisis. Prepared by the Turkish government’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and international partners, the sequence began with a powerful 7.7 magnitude quake in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, followed by numerous aftershocks that have tested emergency services and local communities alike. The latest tallies show 5,894 lives lost and 34,810 people injured, with many communities still working to recover that sense of normalcy amid ongoing aftershocks. Source: Turkish Government Emergency Management and Prevention Agency AFAD; United States government briefings.
The incident has spurred a broad international relief effort. Across Turkey and northern Syria, aid agencies, local authorities, and neighbor nations are coordinating search and rescue operations, distributing food and water, and providing temporary shelter to displaced families. The aim is to stabilize affected areas quickly while protecting vulnerable populations as winter conditions persist. Source: AFAD and humanitarian partners.
As rescue teams press on, emergency planners stress the importance of sustained support to ensure that critical medical care, sanitation, and shelter reach those most in need. The United States will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust its assistance to match evolving needs, working through its humanitarian networks and with Turkish authorities to maximize impact on the ground. Source: U.S. Department of State and Turkish authorities.