Finland sent emergency accommodation to Türkiye – material assistance to Syria is also under preparation

Finland has provided material assistance in the form of emergency accommodation for approximately 3,000 people in Türkiye. Preparations are also underway to deliver material assistance to Syria quickly. The need for assistance in the rescue and clearance operations is great in the aftermath of the earthquake. The first instalment arrived in Türkiye today and was delivered through NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EARDCC).

Finland sent emergency accommodation, i.e. heated tents and stoves, to Türkiye. The Ministry of the Interior acquired the first instalment of the delivered material from the Finnish Defence Forces. The Defence Forces and the Ministry of Defence have worked in close cooperation with Ministry of the Interior in the organisation and logistics of the assistance. The Ministry of the Interior is also preparing to deliver material aid to Syria quickly. 

The conditions for the rescue operations are challenging due to, for example, the cold weather and snowfall.

“According to current information, tens of thousands of people have died and the destruction is very extensive. The need for emergency accommodation in the area hit by the earthquake is huge. By sending material assistance, Finland aims to help people meet their basic needs. It is important that we provide help to the earthquake area as soon as possible,” says Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen. 

The need for assistance is great in Türkiye and Syria following a major earthquake that took place early on Monday morning. Another earthquake and several smaller earthquakes were detected in Türkiye later the same day. The earthquakes have affected the lives of millions of people in the area.

Need for assistance may continue for a long time 

Rescue operations are underway, and several countries have sent assistance to rescue and clearance operations. Initially, Türkiye and Syria requested expert assistance and later also material assistance, including emergency accommodation, to the area.

Material assistance sent from Finland is provided through both the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism and NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC). Türkiye has requested assistance through both the EU and NATO mechanisms, and Syria through the EU mechanism.

Any country can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism if it faces a crisis that it cannot handle alone. Assistance provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is based on the national resources of the EU Member States.

Finland sent expert assistance to rescue services early this week

Finland sent experts to Türkiye to assist in rescue work and support tasks early this week. Türkiye requested expert assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Three Finnish experts work in Türkiye as part of the European Union Civil Protection Team (EUCPT) and four in the Technical Support Team. A Finnish expert leads a multinational team in Türkiye to coordinate the assistance provided by the EU. Finland has been an active donor of assistance in international rescue operations also before. 

Inquiries:

Pauliina Eskola, Director of International Affairs, Department for Rescue Services, tel. +358 295 488 263, pauliina.eskola@gov.fi

Mikko Jalo, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 304 8522, mikko.jalo@gov.fi