In view of the extent of the humanitarian needs following the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on 6 February, Luxembourg's cooperation will, in a first phase, contribute almost one million euros through various partners active in the two affected countries by supporting their humanitarian operations.
Thus, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs' Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs is currently planning a financial contribution of €500,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The funds, managed by the IFRC, will support the efforts of the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in their humanitarian response to the earthquake and to help the affected populations in both countries. In addition, Luxembourg supports the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) annually, which has already released 3 million Swiss francs in response to the disaster.
In this context, Luxembourg's cooperation also plans to support various Luxembourg humanitarian NGOs in their efforts to meet the most immediate needs of the populations affected by the earthquakes. Handicap International Luxembourg, Care in Luxembourg and Fondation Caritas Luxembourg have already announced to submit emergency project proposals.
Furthermore, through its annual contribution to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which will amount to €5 million until 2023, Luxembourg is also supporting the efforts of the international community to enable the United Nations to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the affected populations as quickly as possible. In the case of Turkey and Syria, the UN has announced $25 million in aid through the CERF to kick-start the humanitarian response.
In addition to the deployment of the first emergency.lu mobile satellite platform in the Hatay province of Turkey, a second unit has been provided to the Belgian B-FAST (Belgian First Aid and Support Team).
Finally, Luxembourg is ready to deploy additional systems, if needed, in coordination with the World Food Programme, the UN's lead agency for emergency communications.
Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action