Aid convoys flock to Latakia, 6,000 people take refuge in shelters

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen Net
14 Feb 15:13

Iraqi delegations headed by the Chief of Staff of the Popular Mobilization Forces and the governor of Latakia show immense support to the governate in a plan to aid affected people and rebuild infrastructure.

Relief aid convoys reach the affected northern Syrian regions across the Lebanese- Iraqi borders

As relief aid convoys are being sent to affected people in Latakia through Lebanese-Syrian and Iraqi-Syrian borders, the Iraqi PMF's chief of staff heads delegations to make sure affected areas' needs are met.

The aid provided from Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, the UAE, and Algeria, which arrived in Latakia, included food, health and relief packages, household and medical tools, clothes, and blankets. Convoys continue to arrive from the borders and Latakia International Airport.

The governor of Latakia, Amer Hilal, said during his meeting with an Iraqi delegation headed by Abdul Aziz al-Muhammadawi (Abou Fadak), Chief of Staff of the Popular Mobilization Forces, that thousands of families were affected by the earthquake, adding that there are currently 6,000 people housed in a total of 47 shelters.

Al-Muhammadawi stressed that Iraq will not stop providing support to its brothers in Syria in their ordeal, as aid convoys will continue to cross the border to all affected areas, with the promise for upcoming aid that includes diesel generators to secure electricity for shelters. In addition, they plan to secure everything necessary to alleviate the suffering of the Syrians due to the damage caused by the earthquake.

Abou Fadak was briefed in detail by the governor of Latakia on the extent of the affected regions' damage, and the province's need to alleviate the suffering of those affected, to help secure their needs in the upcoming period.

Furthermore, the Popular Mobilization Forces established a joint operations room, in cooperation with the Latakia Governorate, to help distribute aid to the affected people, whether by providing teams of volunteers or coordinating with the governorate.

Many of those currently residing within the shelters spoke to Al-Mayadeen Net about their fears after their homes were destroyed or damaged, calling for financial aid to be provided to them as a priority. This is because many of them lost their jobs and their source of livelihood in the earthquake. They also called for speeding up the distribution of aid and finding quick solutions to transfer them from shelter centers to temporary homes.

It is noteworthy that the preliminary numbers of the extent of the damage indicate that the earthquake led to the complete destruction of about 103 buildings, while there are 247 buildings that are prone to collapse. Safety committees evacuated dozens of homes from their residents, pending the issuance of the final evaluation report in order to preserve the safety of citizens.

According to the safety committees, which include engineers from the Engineers Syndicate, the General Company for Engineering Studies, and city councils, an assessment of 70 percent of the reported buildings has been completed. The rest of the houses will also be completed within 48 hours while continuing to receive citizens' requests.

Turkey-Syria Earthquake

Thousands have been killed and tens of thousands injured after a powerful earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria on Monday. The magnitude 7.8 quake was one of the strongest to strike the area in more than a century. Rescue workers are digging through debris in freezing conditions, while the death toll is on the rise.