Skopje, 7 February 2023 (MIA) – Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said North Macedonia will send aid to Syria as well, after the country was struck by a devastating earthquake alongside Türkiye, for which the Government has already decided to send aid at an emergency session on Monday.

“Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already in talks with the colleagues from Syria so that we can determine what they need and what we could send as aid. Once we identify their needs, in line with our abilities, then of course we will also help Syria as well,” PM Kovachevski told reporters at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani.

Noting that the Government adopted a decision yesterday to send financial aid to Türkiye, as well as soldiers that will participate in the clean-up and rescue operations, the PM said additional experts from the institutions in charge of dealing with crises will be sent to Türkiye as well.

"Twenty-two soldiers are already on their way to Türkiye with full equipment and vehicles. The Ministry of Health is also completing the list of needs they could meet," said Kovachevski.

We know, said the PM, what solidarity is and this is evidenced by the numerous streets that bear the names of the capitals of countries that helped Skopje and the whole country after the catastrophic earthquake.

According to the decision adopted by the government on Monday, 24 members of the Army, including two dog handlers with dogs, 10,000 blankets and 200 medical stretchers will be sent as aid to Türkiye.

The Protection and Rescue Directorate is sending 40 people – members of the country’s protection and rescue forces, with complete specialized equipment and material and technical means for searching and rescuing people from the ruins, six vehicles for transporting equipment and people, and two firefighting vehicles.

Additionally, the Government instructed the Ministry of Finance to allocate funds from the 2023 Budget reserves in the amount of Mden 6 million (EUR 100,000) to help the victims of the catastrophic earthquake. Other institutions received instructions as well, including the Ministry of Health, which has to immediately draft and submit a decision for the provision of aid in the form of medical personnel, medical equipment and medication.

The Council of the City of Skopje is set to hold a session Wednesday as well, to decide on the aid that will be sent to the regions affected by the earthquake.

As a result of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Monday, 1.622 people have died in Syria, with more than 3.600 people injured, while the number of casualties in Turkey stands at 3.549, with 22.168 others injured. ad/ik/