Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said a group of 55 rescue troops and two dogs of Hungary’s National Directorate of Disaster Management arrived in Turkey on Monday night and further aid is being sent to aid earthquake-hit Turkish regions.
The foreign minister said three organizations were sending 46 rescue personnel and 15 dogs on Tuesday, with a 40 million forint (EUR 102,000) government support. Hungary is helping in all possible ways, he said. “Turkey can count on Hungary.” The foreign ministry is in contact with all Hungarians in Turkey, seven of whom are currently in the earthquake-hit Hatay region, he said. “Everyone is well, we are in contact with everyone,” he said, calling on people who know of further Hungarian citizens who might be impacted to contact the consulate or the Ankara embassy. Meanwhile, Hungary’s government is earmarking 50 million forints for the Maltese Charity to send two mobile clinics to Syria, which was also impacted by the earthquake, he said. The Hungarian Catholic Charity has sent a rescue team to earthquake-hit Turkey in cooperation with Budapest’s voluntary ambulance organization and the capital’s association of firefighters. According to a Tuesday statement, the team consists of 19 people travelling in 5 vehicles. The team, which has a week’s supply, will join partner organizations in Turkey and participate in search and rescue operations.
The organization welcomes donations at karitasz.hu, while people calling their hotline at 1356 can contribute 500 forints per call.