Rescuers search for survivors under the rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkey Feb. 6, 2023. (REUTERS)
MANILA, Philippines The Philippines has deployed an interagency disaster response team following a massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and northern Syria.
An 85-man contingent left for Turkey via a commercial flight provided by the Turkish Airlines on Wednesday night.
The contingent is composed of personnel from the Office of Civil Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and the Department of Health (DOH)
“This is our contribution to humanity, and the President ordered us for the response teams to prepare for deployment, for the People of Turkey,” Acting Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said during a send-off ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday afternoon.
The teams are expected to help search for survivors trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed structures in the quake-devastated country.
Galvez said the Philippine embassy in Turkey has prepared appropriate clothing for the rescuers as they would work in harsh winter conditions.
8,700 killed
More than 8,700 people were killed in Turkey and Syria due to Monday’s deadly earthquake and authorities feared that the death toll would continue to climb as rescuers search for survivors. In Turkey, the death toll has risen to more than 6,000 as of Wednesday.
Galvez said the decision to send a team was in solidarity with Turkey, which has greatly contributed to the peace efforts in Mindanao and COVID-19 response.
The Philippines’ response team will also bring donations which include clothing and sleeping kits for winter, and hygiene and sanitary kits.
From the DOH-run hospitals, a 31-man team composed of doctors, nurses and medical technologists will be sent to Turkey to serve as emergency responders.
The medical professionals from Dr. Jose Natalio Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center and Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga province, will be part of the Philippine Interagency Contingent to Turkey, according to the DOH.