Indonesians should donate goods direly needed by Turkey, Syria

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has appealed to Indonesians keen to donate goods to earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria to pay attention to the agency's list of requested goods.

"We have received a list of needed goods. Among them are mattresses, warm blankets, winter clothes and shoes, meal packages, and hygiene kits," the agency's acting spokesperson, Abdul Muhari, stated.

Several other goods that the survivors currently need most include diapers for elderly people, adults and children as well as soaps, medicines, medical equipment, generator sets, first aid kits, solar lamps, and rubble removal kits, he noted.

All goods remain prioritized for collection and delivery as part of Indonesia's humanitarian aid to the quake survivors in Turkey and Syria, he noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted here, Friday.

"For members of our communities looking to join a solidarity movement for our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria currently severely suffering from the impacts of the recent catastrophe, please see the requested list of goods," he emphasized.

The BNPB continues to coordinate with the Indonesian embassies in Turkey and Syria to enable Indonesia's search and rescue as well as medical team members to work effectively on disaster zones, Muhari explained.

The requested goods that the Indonesian citizens donate would be distributed to those in need through organizations that have also initiated to collect humanitarian aid for quake survivors in the two countries, he stated.

The BNPB will collectively coordinate over the donated goods to be simultaneously transported to those in need in Turkey and Syria through a one-door policy on the humanitarian aid program, he remarked.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Turkey and Syria early this week killed and injured scores of people.  According to TRTWorld that ANTARA quoted on Friday at 10:40 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), "the death toll tops 21 thousand, as rescuers pull more survivors from beneath collapsed buildings, almost four days after catastrophic earthquakes and series of aftershocks hit both countries."

Baca juga: BNPB terima daftar permintaan bantuan korban gempa Turki-Suriah
Baca juga: BNPB fokuskan pencarian korban gempa M 5,4 di Jayapura

Meanwhile, on Thursday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inspected the ongoing search and rescue efforts in the earthquake-hit Kilis, according to the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey's official website.

After paying a visit to the earthquake victims under treatment in the hospital, President Erdogan delivered remarks to reporters. As of Thursday, the count of injured citizens stood at 66,132.

"I once again wish Allah’s mercy upon all our citizens who lost their lives, and a speedy recovery to all our citizens in the 10 earthquake-hit provinces, and extend my condolences to all their relatives," President Erdogan stated in response to the casualties. "Our ministries, institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and citizens work selflessly to help the earthquake victims," the president noted.