Worldview with Suhasini Haidar | Turkey - Syria earthquake | Why India’s relief efforts matter

In this episode of Worldview, we discuss how India is helping the quake hit Turkey and Syria and will India’s assistance be a diplomatic gamechanger

A global rescue effort is underway for Quake hit Turkiye and Syria- where the deathtoll is in the thousands already- Will India’s assistance be a diplomatic gamechanger?

- On February 6, an earthquake measuring a massive 7.8 on the Richter scale hit Southern Turkiye or Turkey and parts of Syria, followed by a second quake of the same magnitude a few hours later.

- The scale of the devastation has been immense- the worst such in the region in nearly a century. More than 16,000 are confirmed dead, but with the critical period of 72 hours passing, the fear that many more bodies are under the rubble still and the death toll could rise sharply.

- In Turkey, the cities of Antakya and Gazantiep are amongst the worst hit, and in Syria Alleppo and Idlib, and the destruction of buildings and roads have also cut off communication with many parts.

- A global effort is underway. More than 30 countries are a part of the relief effort, sending planes with relief, field hospitals, diggers and rescue teams- including India, US, UK, Russia, China, Japan, Pakistan, Israel, and most European countries. Israel is particularly significant as it has tense ties with Turkiye and is at war with Syria, but has coordinated with both for assistance

FACTORS HAMPERING THE RESPONSE:

1. Bad weather that is hampering relief flights, and harsh winds and snow making conditions for survivors difficult