EU to hold donors’ conference to support quake-affected Syria, Turkey
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU will host an International Donors’ Conference on March 20 to support the people of Syria and Turkey who have been affected by the Feb. 6 devastating earthquake.
The conference will be co-hosted by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and by Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, for the Swedish Presidency of the Council.
“Just six weeks after the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, we come together to support the survivors of this tragedy. Our solidarity will continue to be as strong as it was in the first hours after the earthquake,” said Ursula von der Leyen.
She invited all nations and all donors, public and private, “to contribute and honor the memory of the lives lost, the heroism of the first responders and most importantly to build together a better future for the survivors.”
“The earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria are a disaster of historic proportions. I’m saddened by the loss of lives and homes, and the human suffering. The consequences are truly horrendous,” she added.
In the early hours of Feb. 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Syria and Turkey, killing 50.000 and injuring many more. The earthquake also caused immense destruction of buildings, trapping thousands under the rubble.