Finland to send emergency aid to Syria

Finland is preparing to deliver material aid to earthquake hit Syria, said the Ministry of Interior in a press release on Saturday.

Finland already sent about 3,000 emergency shelters including heated tents and stoves to quake affected Turkey and the aid reached there on Saturday and was delivered through NATO's Euro-Atlantic Rescue Coordination Center (EARDCC).

“According to current information, tens of thousands of people have died and the destruction is very extensive. The need for emergency accommodation in the area hit by the earthquake is huge. By sending material assistance, Finland aims to help people meet their basic needs. It is important that we provide help to the earthquake area as soon as possible,” said Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen.

Earlier, Finland decided to send EUR 1 million in humanitarian assistance to Turkey and Syria through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

In addition to humanitarian assistance, Finland also sent experts to Turkey to assist in rescue and relief work. The experts will be deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The death toll from earthquakes in Turkey and Syria neared 25,000 on Saturday.