The recent magnitude 5 earthquakes that shook western Syria left devastating destruction and have deepened the ongoing refugee crisis. With Syria’s fragile infrastructure already jolted by nine years of civil war, Egypt has promised to render more aid to its neighbor following the twin earthquakes. Egypt’s pledge has been welcomed by humanitarian groups who are concerned by the magnitude of the devastation caused by the quakes.
Background on Earthquakes in Syria
In late April of 2021, two earthquakes close to the Syrian-Turkish border caused widespread damage in the Hatay province of western Syria. The major earthquake, registering 5.3 magnitude, struck close to the town of Al-Riqama and its neighboring cities. The tremors were felt hundreds of miles away in other parts of the region, including Aleppo and the Syrian capital Damascus.
The earthquakes are reported to have caused immense destruction, with multiple buildings reduced to piles of rubble. The tremors also weakened several buildings in the nearby town of Kafr Takharim.
Egypt’s Humanitarian Response
Neighboring Egypt responded swiftly to the Syrian plight, promising to provide humanitarian aid to the stricken region. Egypt has long been a firm ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has pledged its support in the Syrian civil war. However, Egypt’s response to the earthquakes is humanitarian in nature and is focused on helping the people affected.
Egypt sent a ten-person rescue team to the affected area, thirteen hours after the earthquake struck. The team consisted of paramedics and disaster specialists who provided emergency services and first aid to those affected by the earthquake. The Egyptian government also distributed emergency food, medical supplies, and other aid in the area.
Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly stated that, “It is our duty as a peaceful and safe country to help our Syrian brothers and sisters who are suffering from this disaster.” Despite its strained relations with Turkey, Egypt pledged that it would work together with the Turkish government to provide aid to Syria, even if it was from a different country.
The Support from Humanitarian Organizations
The United Nations and several other international organizations welcomed the additional support from Egypt, and praised the swift response of the country’s rescue team.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi welcomed Egypt’s pledge of aid to the Syrian people, praising Egypt’s “steadfast and generous efforts under difficult conditions” to support Syrian refugees and “those affected by recent disasters”. The UNHCR also extended its support to Egypt and thanked the country for its commitment to providing humanitarian aid to the region.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also thanked Egypt for its humanitarian efforts in the Syrian region and praised the country for swiftly sending aid to the affected area.
Edward Kallon, the United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator for Syria, thanked Egypt for its generous donation and said that it was “deeply appreciated in this moment of critical need.”
Egyptian Humanitarian Support Throughout the Crisis
The recent earthquakes are not the first time that Egypt has pledged to provide aid to Syria. The country has previously supported Syrians affected by the ongoing civil war, providing food, medical supplies, and financial assistance to those in need.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has also been involved in various diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the Syrian war, working closely with international stakeholders, including the United Nations and European Union, to facilitate a resolution to the conflict.
The country is a major contributor to UN-sponsored initiatives aimed at providing humanitarian and development support for Syrians both within and outside the country. It is estimated that over eight million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian aid due to the impact of the conflict, and the country’s infrastructure has been devastated.
In light of the devastating recent earthquakes, Egyptians have reaffirmed their compassionate support for their Syrian neighbors, with pledges of more aid after the quake. The swift response from Egypt has been welcomed by humanitarian organizations, and serves as a reminder of the country’s generous commitment to helping Syrians affected by the conflict.