The US Secretary of State in Turkey after the earthquakes in solidarity
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken helps soldiers load supplies onto a vehicle at İncirlik Air Base near Adana on Sunday, February 19, 2023. AP - Clodagh Kilcoyne
Text by: RFI Follow
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After fourteen days, Turkey ceased its search operations in most of the areas devastated by the earthquake of February 6.
But these operations continue all the same in the two most affected areas: the city of Antakya (Antioch) and that of Kahramanmaraş.
In the country, the toll now stands at more than 40,000 dead in Turkey.
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Antakya is this city that the American Secretary of State flew over this Sunday.
Antony Blinken started his first visit to Turkey.
And before a meeting with President Erdogan on Monday, he visited the disaster areas.
The head of American diplomacy came to show the solidarity of the United States with Turkey.
And it was at the İncirlik air base, in the province of Adana, in the south-east of the country, that he landed.
Welcomed by his Turkish counterpart, Mr. Blinken said he was sorry that the meeting took place in such circumstances.
The two men then boarded a helicopter.
They flew over Antakya and its region, a city largely destroyed two weeks ago.
The Secretary of State did not set foot on the ground in the city, but he could see the extent of the damage at low altitude, before returning to the base, where he was then briefed on the humanitarian operations in progress .
Profoundly saddened to see firsthand the devastation of the earthquakes in #Türkiye.
The United States remains committed to doing everything we can to help with rescue, relief, and recovery efforts.
@USEmbassyTurkey @usaidsaveslives pic.twitter.com/bc3D7LpgVO
—Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 19, 2023
►Also read: After Munich, Antony Blinken in Turkey to show support for the United States
In İncirlik, Antony Blinken announced the release of a new tranche of aid: “
One hundred million dollars to help those who desperately need it
,” he said.
An envelope which is added to the 85 million released immediately after the earthquake.
But the head of American diplomacy also wanted to assure Ankara of long-term support.
"
When you see the extent of the damage, the number of buildings, the number of apartments, the number of houses that have been destroyed, it's going to take a massive effort to rebuild," he said
.
“
And we are committed to supporting this effort.
»
► To read also: Ukraine: Washington fears that Beijing "considers providing lethal support" to Moscow
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Turkey
UNITED STATES
Earthquake
Natural disasters
Diplomacy