Rescuers from the occupied Palestinian territories are becoming a member of worldwide efforts to deliver quake survivors to security.
A Palestinian help crew is becoming a member of the worldwide emergency response in Turkey and Syria, as rescue efforts to find and extract survivors from the rubble intensify.
Seventy-three rescuers, led by the Palestinian Worldwide Cooperation Company (PICA), packed softshell jackets displaying the brand of their organisation into purple duffle baggage on Thursday, earlier than boarding a bus on the Palestinian Ministry of International Affairs in Ramallah.
The crew can be travelling to Jordan, the place it would divide equally into two teams headed to southern Turkey and northwest Syria.
Emad Zuhairi, head of PICA, mentioned that regardless of rising wants at residence, his crew couldn't however reply to the decision for assist.
“It's as a result of we're struggling that we really feel for the struggling of others,” Zuhairi instructed Al Jazeera.
The crew included rescuers from the Palestinian Civil Defence, the Ministry of Well being and the Palestinian Pink Crescent Society.
Established in 2016, PICA has participated in varied rescue operations overseas – most not too long ago in Pakistan, following devastating floods.
Its mission is predicted to final 10 days however could possibly be prolonged in response to want.
Aftershocks have continued to rock the Anatolian Peninsula for the reason that first pre-dawn quake on Monday whereas rescue operations have been beneath means, threatening to knock down battered buildings, in addition to the burgeoning piles of rubble.
Zuhairi mentioned his crew was conscious of the various difficulties going into such a mission. “To this, we add the restriction that the occupying energy imposes on the free circulation of individuals and items,” he added.
Israel controls border crossings out and in of the occupied West Financial institution, making it vital for Palestinian rescue groups to coordinate with the Israeli authorities.
“We'd have cherished to deliver with us some heavy gear, however sadly, this isn't doable,” he mentioned. As an alternative, the crew can be utilizing particular person kits containing solely important gear.
Brigadier Odeh Yunis, from the Palestinian Civil Defence, mentioned the organisation was sending 32 folks from amongst its ranks to answer the “disaster”.
Their major mission was to extract folks from beneath the rubble and supply medical help to the injured, Yunis mentioned.
His workplace was additionally planning a response to potential native earthquakes after the Palestinian territories recorded a magnitude-3.5 tremor.
“Because of the Israeli occupation, we don't have direct borders with the worldwide group,” he mentioned. “We're working with our colleagues from the European Union and within the area to rearrange a response in case of an enormous emergency.”
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