Rishi Sunak has said the UK government’s pledge of a further £25m towards the relief effort following the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey will provide “vital humanitarian assistance” to victims.
The Foreign Office said the substantial amount of new overseas aid will fund tents and blankets for families made homeless in freezing conditions, as well as the ongoing deployment of medical expertise at a field hospital in Turkoglu, Turkey.
Asked about further UK aid during a visit to Imperial College London, the PM told broadcasters: “It is a devastating tragedy that has happened and we are all seeing.
“Let me first say thank you to everyone who has given so generously to the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) appeal and raised a huge amount of money.
“The UK government has already provided considerable aid but I am pleased to announce today that we are actually going to provide £25m further financial support.
“That is going to go to the United Nations, to British charities, local charities and the Turkish authorities.”
He added: “It is going to provide vital humanitarian assistance on the ground, including medical supplies, tents, blankets and it comes on top of the support we have already provided, including 77 search-and-rescue teams who have been on the ground for a while.
“We will continue to do everything we can to provide help and support on the ground.”
Minister for development Andrew Mitchell added: “As this evolving situation transitions from rescue to recovery, we are seeing thousands of families left homeless by the earthquake, packed into crowded tents or lined up in the streets queuing for hot meals.
“The UK’s priority is to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches people who need it most and that is why I am pleased to announce this additional funding, which will be so vital in ensuring those affected can begin to rebuild their lives.”
The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 quakes that struck nine hours apart on February 6 in south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria has passed 40,000.
Homes and areas of towns and cities have been turned to rubble.
In one collapsed building, a husband, wife and their four children were rescued after spending 101 hours trapped beneath the debris.
The family managed to survive by huddling together in a small air pocket beneath a collapsed building.
UK charities have teamed up with corporate giants to send more than £350,000 worth of emergency supplies to Turkey following the devastating earthquake.
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The emergency aircraft departed from London Heathrow for Adana on Tuesday, carrying clothes, blankets and almost a tonne of infant milk powder.
Watford-based humanitarian aid charity Goods for Good worked with partners Magen David Adom UK and the Humanitarian Resources International Foundation to secure an aircraft from Virgin Atlantic.
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Turkey-Syria quake: One week later
Despite the DEC appeal reaching £74m in donations, doctors have said more trauma kits, antibiotics and pain relief are desperately needed to treat those with crush injuries.
Although charities are beginning to receive the green light to get goods out to Turkey, surgeons say they need supplies such as orthopaedic screws and nails, anaesthetics and analgesics.
The DEC has said there is also a shortage of medical professionals trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery, while kidney injuries have created a spike in need for dialysis machines and kidney specialists.
