AMI and MSF doctors organize earthquake relief operation

Teams from AMI (Medical Assistance International) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are conducting operations in Turkey, but especially in Syria, to help victims of Monday’s earthquakes, the two organizations said on Tuesday.

According to Fernando Nobre, President of AMI Portugal, the organization’s main concern is with the population of northern Syria, “where more than ten million displaced people live” and where internal conflict has been ongoing for more than a decade.

“I understand that the Turkish government has enough resources to cope with the tragedy” caused by Monday’s earthquake, which reached 7.8 on the Richter scale, and aftershocks, Fernando Nobre Lusa said.

Emphasizing that AMI “wants to make a useful intervention,” he defended that “it is better to focus on northern Syria,” where “a forgotten drama” is already being experienced, Fernando Nobre said, acknowledging that his main concern is children.

“At times like these, always [crianças] who disappear and fall into schemes where they should never be,” he said.

The official also clarified that the operation would be conducted through a local partner, AMI, with whom the organization is already working to help displaced Syrians.

“Our partner has about 40 doctors on the ground and will let us know if more are needed,” the president of AMI Portugal said, adding that the shelters are now being dispatched “to help get through the rest of the winter.” “, blankets, food and water.

Support that, according to Fernando Nobre, will initially be provided with 200,000 euros from AMI’s own reserves, but will later be supplemented by “requesting help from the Portuguese at large”.

Also in the case of MSF, support is provided through teams and local partners, according to the organization’s statement, which emphasizes that doctors are working non-stop.

“Medical facilities are overwhelmed and medical personnel in northern Syria are working non-stop responding to the large number of wounded arriving at medical facilities,” MSF said, noting that since the first hours they have treated about 200 wounded and received care . 160 casualties in institutions and clinics she runs or supports in northern Idlib, Syria.

“Our ambulances were also deployed to help the population,” he said, mourning the death of a member of the organization under the rubble of his home in Idlib.

“We are very shocked and saddened by the impact this disaster has had on the thousands affected, including our colleagues and their families,” said Sebastien Gay, MSF’s mission leader in Syria.

The organization also said it has provided immediate support to 23 health centers in the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo by donating emergency medical resources and supporting them with medical teams, as well as donating blankets and essential life kits to the displaced population in northwest Syria. .

“The level of damage in the region has resulted in the destruction of hundreds of homes, leaving thousands homeless,” MSF said, adding that despite snow falling for at least three days, people remain on the streets for fear of more aftershocks. .

“The needs in northwest Syria are very high as this earthquake adds drama to what the vulnerable have already felt during the years of war,” Sebastien Gay added.

The preliminary balance of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria already exceeds 5,000 dead, but the number of people affected by earthquakes could reach 23 million, according to an estimate put forward by the World Health Organization on Tuesday.

The European Union has already mobilized 25 search and rescue teams, which include about 1,200 rescuers from 21 countries, including Portugal, to assist the Turkish authorities in rescue operations.