LONDON: An appeal in the UK to raise money for victims of the series of earthquakes that struck Turkiye and Syria this week has received about £33 million ($39.9 million) in less than 24 hours.
The appeal, launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee, was broadcast across all major TV channels in the UK, and received significant donations and support from the government, King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, and the prince and princess of Wales, who said they were “horrified” by the “harrowing images” from the disaster-stricken zone.
The general public contributed a little over £27.9 million during the appeal’s first day, with the UK government committing to a further £5 million, and the Scottish government pledging £500,000.
Development Minister Andrew Mitchell called the response from the public to the disaster “extraordinary.”
So far at least 21,000 people are known to have died in the disaster, with the toll likely to rise as hopes for survivors still trapped in rubble fade, and tens of thousands of injured and homeless enduring sub-zero temperatures with limited shelter, food, clean water and medical supplies.
A military transport plane left the UK for Turkiye on Thursday carrying emergency supplies, and the government also intends to send a field hospital to the area.
The DEC appeal will see funds distributed to 14 British charities, including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and ActionAid, operating on the ground. It estimates that as many as 17 million peoples in Turkiye and Syria are in need of aid.
The Turkish government has said that 380,000 people are sheltering in official refuges or hotels.
DEC CEO Saleh Saaed told the BBC: “The stories we are now hearing from the survivors who have managed to escape the ruins of flattened and crumpled buildings without shoes and coats in the depths of winter are desperately sad.”
UK earthquake appeal raises over £33m in first 24 hours
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UK earthquake appeal raises over £33m in first 24 hours
- King and queen among those to pledge support following disaster in Turkiye and Syria
- UK government donates £5m; Scottish government an additional £500k
Gulf countries offer support to Yemen’s legitimate government, Saudi security
- Qatar, Kuwait say their security is based on the security of Saudi Arabia and the GCC
- Bahrain said it had confidence in the leadership of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to contain differences
LONDON: Gulf and Arab countries on Tuesday offered support to the internationally recognized government in Yemen after the UAE withdrew its forces from the country.
The statements were issued after the military coalition supporting Yemen’s government carried out airstrikes on a shipment of weapons and vehicles destined for southern separatist forces.
The shipment arrived in the port of Mukalla on board two vessels from Fujairah in the UAE.
The Emirates was asked by Rashad Al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s presidential council, to withdraw its troops from Yemen within 24 hours.
Saudi Arabia said the separatists, operating under the Southern Transitional Council and supported by the UAE, posed a direct threat to the Kingdom’s national security and regional stability by recently seizing territory in the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra.
Qatar said it was following the developments “with keen interest.”
A foreign ministry statement said Doha fully supported the legitimate Yemeni government and stressed the importance of preserving Yemen's unity and safeguarding the interests of the Yemeni people.
It added that the security of Saudi Arabia and the security of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) “constitute an inseparable part of the security of the State of Qatar, reflecting the deep-rooted fraternal ties and shared destiny that unite the GCC states.”
The ministry commended the statements issued by Saudi Arabia and the UAE “which reflect a commitment to prioritizing the interests of the region.”
Kuwait also offered “unwavering support” for Yemen’s government and said the security of Saudi Arabia and GCC is the basis of its own national security.
Its foreign ministry praised the “responsible approach” taken by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Bahrain, the current GCC chair, said it had confidence in the leadership of Saudi Arabia and the UAE “and their ability to contain any differences in viewpoints within the framework of a unified Gulf.”
The foreign ministry statement offered “unequivocal” support toward regional and international initiatives and efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive and lasting political solution in Yemen.
Egypt said it had full confidence in Saudi Arabia and the UAE “to handle the current developments in Yemen with wisdom.”
Cairo will continue efforts toward a comprehensive political settlement for Yemen, the statement said.
