Qatar ships more humanitarian aid to quake zone in southern Türkiye

By Betul Aklan

ADANA, Türkiye (AA) - Qatar continued its humanitarian aid deliveries to Türkiye on Wednesday in the wake of back-to-back earthquakes that shook the country earlier this month.

Two military cargo planes from the Gulf nation carried the relief materials via a humanitarian air bridge that facilitated tons of aid deliveries to southern Türkiye since Feb. 6, when the magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes struck, affecting over 13 million people.

The aircraft, landing at the Incirlik Air Base in southern Adana province, brought personal hygiene supplies sent by various institutions and organizations to quake victims staying in temporary shelters.

A total of nine military planes also delivered other relief supplies, such as mobile toilets and baths, over the last three days to the air base, from which they were shipped to quake-hit areas where they are needed.

"We love Türkiye very much. We are always with you in your difficult days. It is not something to be thanked for, we are doing our duty," Qatar's military commander in Türkiye, Lt. Col. Hamad Al Hajri, told Anadolu.

At least 42,310 people were killed by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6. Tens of thousands of others were injured.

* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz