Penticton Herald

Who’s sending help

- By The Associated Press

Structural engineers, soldiers, paramedics and handlers with trained search dogs are heading to Turkey and Syria to help locate and rescue survivors of Monday's earthquake. Here's a glance at just some of the assistance that's being provided:

— The European Union has mobilized search and rescue teams to help Turkey, while the bloc's Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide emergency mapping services. At least 19 member countries have offered assistance. The European Commission is also helping neighbouri­ng Syria by funding humanitari­an organizati­ons supervisin­g search and rescue operations.

-- The United States is coordinati­ng immediate assistance to Turkey, including teams to support search and rescue efforts. Nearly 100 Los Angeles County firefighte­rs and structural engineers, along with six specially trained dogs, were being sent to Turkey.

— Russian rescue teams were sent to Syria, where Russian military deployed in that country already has sent 10 units comprising 300 people to help clear debris and search for survivors. The Russian military has set up points to distribute humanitari­an assistance. Russia also has offered help to Turkey.

— War-ravaged Syria called for the United Nations and its members to help with rescue efforts, health services, shelter and food aid. Both government-held territory and the last opposition-held enclave were damaged by the earthquake.

— The Internatio­nal Committee of the Red Cross has sent enough surgical material to treat 100 people to one of the public hospitals in the Syrian city of Aleppo. More medical equipment is on its way to Aleppo, Latakia and Tartous. The Red Cross also is donating canned food, blankets, mattresses and other essential items for distributi­on.

— The Israeli army is sending a search and rescue team of 150 engineers, medical personnel and other aid workers to Turkey. The two countries are mending ties after years of tensions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has also approved a request for humanitari­an aid for Syria. Israel and Syria do not have diplomatic relations.

— Palestinia­n Foreign Minister Riad Malki said the Palestinia­n Authority will dispatch two humanitari­an missions to assist in Syria and Turkey. The aid missions will include civil defence and medical teams.

— Neighbour and historic rival Greece is sending Turkey a team of 21 rescuers, two rescue dogs and a special rescue vehicle.

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