A Pakistan Navy ship carrying 1,000 tons of relief goods for the earthquake victims departed for Türkiye.
The ship that departed from the port city of Karachi is carrying 1,800 large family-sized winterized tents and 29,000 blankets to tend to the quake survivors’ immediate needs.
The consignment also includes generators, dry rations, medicines, and clothing for the earthquake victims in Syria.
At a simple ceremony at Karachi Harbor, Pakistan’s Ports and Shipping Minister Faisal Sabzwari saw off the ship. The ship “PNS Nasr” will reach Türkiye’s Mersin Port in 14 days, and after a two-day stay there, it will proceed to Syria.
Addressing the ceremony, Sabzwari reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to supporting the earthquake victims. He recalled Ankara’s assistance to the thousands of victims of last year’s super floods across Pakistan and said it is Islamabad’s turn to pay back to our Turkish brethren.
In his remarks, Sangu thanked Islamabad on behalf of the government and the people of Türkiye for its continuing support to the earthquake victims of both Türkiye and Syria. He furthur added that the gesture of kindness and love means a lot to them and it makes them feel that they are not alone at this trying time
He observed that Pakistan was among the countries that sent rescue teams to the quake-hit regions, who were there to assist the people on the second morning.
Apart from the fresh batch of relief goods, Pakistan’s National Disaster and Management Authority (NDMA) has already sent nearly 7,000 winterized tents, and more than 33,000 blankets to Türkiye through air and road routes. In the next two weeks, over 4,000 winterized tents will also be sent to Türkiye through chartered cargo flights.
The devastating twin earthquakes have claimed more than 44,300 lives, according to Türkiye’s disaster agency. Over 10,200 aftershocks have been reported, including a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that jolted Malatya on Monday, killing at least one person and injuring 110 others. The quakes also caused widespread devastation in parts of northwestern Syria, where the death toll has climbed to at least 5,840.
