Turkiye-Syria quake: Saudi Arabia orders air bridge for aid, Pakistan sends rescue teams

Volunteers share an emotional moment as they take part in a rescue operation following an earthquake in Hatay, Turkey on February 8, 2023. (REUTERS)
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Updated 08 February 2023
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Turkiye-Syria quake: Saudi Arabia orders air bridge for aid, Pakistan sends rescue teams

  • Riyadh has organized a campaign through its “Sahem” platform to help in Turkiye and Syria
  • UAE says will set up field hospital in Turkiye, dispatch search and rescue teams to Turkiye and Syria

Governments and international organizations from around the world have responded with offers of support after an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck central Turkiye and northwest Syria.

Below is a list of some of those announcements of support:

UNITED STATES
Two US Agency for International Development teams each comprised of about 80 people plus search-and-rescue dogs, will arrive in Turkiye on Wednesday and head to the southeastern province of Adiyaman to focus on search and rescue, said a USAID disaster assistance response team leader, Stephen Allen.

CHINA
A Chinese earthquake rescue team sent by China arrived in Turkiye’s Adana on Wednesday, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The team of 82 members and four search dogs, brought 20 tons of supplies and equipment. Rescue teams from several provinces were also on the way, CCTV said.

INDIA
Two teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force of 100 personnel with dogs and equipment were ready to be flown in. Medical teams were being readied and relief material was being sent in coordination with Turkish authorities.

JAPAN
Japan has sent 73 rescue personnel to Turkiye with equipment such as life detectors, drills, portable generators, medical kits and food.

BRITAIN
The government said 76 British search and rescue specialists with four search dogs and rescue equipment had been sent to Turkiye and a British emergency medical team would assess the situation.

THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The UAE said it would set up a field hospital in Turkiye and dispatch search and rescue teams to Turkiye and Syria. It said it would provide urgent relief to Syria’s hardest-hit areas.

SPAIN
Spain was sending an A400 military plane with firefighters and equipment, along with an Airbus A330 with civil defense staff to work with rescuers. Spain also sent two warships, Juan Carlos I and Galicia, toward Turkiye with aid and 500 Marines.

SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia ordered an air bridge to provide aid and organized a campaign through its “Sahem” platform to help in Turkiye and Syria.

IRAQ
Iraq said it would send civil defense teams to Turkiye and Syria with emergency aid and relief supplies.

QATAR
The government said it was operating relief flights to Turkiye to transport search and rescue teams along with vehicles, a field hospital, tents and other supplies, Qatar’s state news agency reported.

Qatar-funded Qatar Charity said it was distributing 27,000 hot meals in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, where it has an office, and is supplying relief items to shelters in Turkiye and Syria. The group allocated $6 million for the first stages of its response.

PAKISTAN
Pakistan said it was sending two C-130 planes with relief supplies and 36 search and rescue personnel.

THE VATICAN AND ITALY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Pope Francis has sent a telegram offering his “heartfelt condolences” after earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria.

The Italian Roman Catholic Church allocated 500,000 euros ($537,800) for emergency aid.

GERMANY
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the federal civil protection agency could provide camps with emergency shelters and water treatment units and that it was preparing relief supplies with emergency generators, tents and blankets, in coordination with the Turkish authorities. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised more support.

CANADA
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged C$10 million ($7.5 million) in immediate aid to Turkiye and Syria, and said Canada would continue to provide support as the situation evolved.

AUSTRALIA
Australia said it would provide A$10 million ($7 million) in aid and deploy an urban search and rescue team of up to 72 people to Turkiye, with the aim to have boots on the ground by the end of the week.

UN WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION
The WHO said its network of emergency medical teams had been activated to provide essential health care for the injured and most vulnerable.

ITALY
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy’s Civil Protection was standing by to contribute support and provide first aid.

POLAND
Poland will send rescue group HUSAR consisting of 76 firemen and eight rescue dogs, a government minister said.

EUROPEAN UNION
European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said the EU’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Center had contacted Turkish authorities and had activated its emergency Copernicus satellite mapping service to help first responders.

TAIWAN
Taiwan’s fire department said a team of 40 rescuers along with three rescue dogs and four to five tons of aid had been se to Turkiye. It earlier said it was ready to offer a team 130 people, along with five search dogs and 13 tons of aid, and was awaiting Turkiye’s response.

UKRAINE
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to send support. “We are in this moment close to the friendly Turkish people, ready to provide the necessary assistance,” he said.

RUSSIA
Russia’s emergencies ministry said two IL-76 aircraft with 100 rescuers were ready to fly out to Turkiye if required.

President Vladimir Putin sent messages to Turkiye and to Syria, where Russian troops have been supporting the Syrian military, expressing condolences to the presidents of both nations and offering support.

GREECE
Greek Prime Minister Kyrikos Mitsotakis offered condolences and support to Turkiye, saying Greece was mobilizing its resources and would assist immediately.

ISRAEL
Israel has sent search and rescue teams, medical staff and supplies. It was also prepared to help victims from Syria, which is an enemy state, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL (NRC)
“NRC is assessing the situation in order to provide direct support to those most affected across Syria. A massive scale up is needed and our organization will be part of it,” said the group’s Middle East regional director, who also appealed for more international support for Syria and Turkiye.

SWITZERLAND
Switzerland has sent about 80 Swiss Rescue experts and eight search dogs to Turkiye. The rescue team includes disaster response specialists from the Swiss military.

FINLAND
Finland said rescue experts would be sent to Turkiye as part of EU aid.


KSrelief showcases humanitarian efforts at IsDB exhibition, initiates cooperation with Bill Gates Foundation

Updated 6 sec ago
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KSrelief showcases humanitarian efforts at IsDB exhibition, initiates cooperation with Bill Gates Foundation

  • Organization's pavilion also highlighted KSrelief's specialized programs

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has showcased its work at the 2024 Islamic Development Bank Group Annual Meetings in Riyadh, which concludes on Tuesday.

At the exhibition, KSrelief explained how its relief and humanitarian work spans across 98 countries in collaboration with 175 international, regional, and local partners.

KSrelief's initiatives encompass various sectors including food security, health, education, shelter, humanitarian operations coordination, water, sanitation, environment, and protection.

The organization's pavilion also highlighted KSrelief's specialized programs such as the Masam project for demining in Yemen, the Child Soldiers Rehabilitation Project, and the Prosthetic Limb Program.

Later on Tuesday, KSRelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah met with Bill Gates, as co-chair of  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Discussions centered around fostering cooperation and coordination to alleviate the suffering of individuals worldwide.
 


Food-poisoning patients released from intensive care, 25 discharged from Riyadh hospital

Updated 38 min 56 sec ago
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Food-poisoning patients released from intensive care, 25 discharged from Riyadh hospital

  • Only source of contaminated food was Hamburgini restaurant chain
  • Botulism caused by the bacteria can be life-threatening, says doctor

RIYADH: More than half of the patients who contracted food poisoning caused by the clostridium botulinum bacteria last Thursday were released from intensive care and 25 discharged from a local hospital, the Ministry of Health reported on X.

The ministry’s spokesperson Dr. Mohammed Khalid Alabdulaali confirmed that the only source of the contaminated food was from the local Hamburgini fast-food restaurant chain.

“We confirm that there are no other sources to which the cases were linked other than what was previously explained, and we recommend the importance of taking information from official sources and the necessity of avoiding spreading rumors and unconfirmed information,” he said.

Botulism, caused by the bacteria, is a life-threatening neurological disorder resulting in paralysis and death if not treated promptly.

Gastroenterologist Mohammed Al-Awamy told Arab News that botulism is caused by the ingestion of contaminated food.

“In situations where the anaerobic bacteria thrive, for example in situations where oxygen is minimal ... this is seen in canned goods and in meats that have been packed in vacuum-sealed packing.

He said that botulism can be avoided by making sure that sources of contamination are eliminated. “This would mean tracing any source of possible contaminated food and ensuring the safe storage and processing of food products.”

He said botulism is life-threatening. “Symptoms start in the face and then descend to involve the limbs and trunk. Respiratory failure ensues due to involvement of the respiratory system leading to cardiopulmonary collapse.”

He said anyone who has symptoms or is suspected of having botulism must seek urgent medical attention.

“Treatment is supportive but may require the utilization of advanced life-support measures. Anti-toxin is available and will be administered in suspected cases pending confirmatory tests. ICU admission and mechanical ventilation may be needed in more advanced cases.”


ACCIONA presents its first talks in Riyadh on reverse osmosis desalination

Updated 30 April 2024
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ACCIONA presents its first talks in Riyadh on reverse osmosis desalination

  • First in a series of events at the Spanish Embassy highlights solution to water scarcity in the Kingdom
  • Speakers emphasized how Saudi Vision 2030 highlights the importance of investing in desalination technology such as reverse osmosis

RIYADH: ACCIONA, a leader in regenerative solutions for a decarbonized economy, held its first panel discussion in its series of talks designed to promote regenerative and sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia.

The event, held at the Spanish Embassy in Riyadh on April 28, brought together leading figures from across the sector, government, and businesses to showcase the importance of reverse osmosis technology in the water cycle.

The Riyadh event follows an inaugural panel discussion of a series, entitled “The Saudi Solution for Water Sustainability: Reverse Osmosis Desalination,” which explored achieving water sustainability in the Kingdom.

Panelists who participated included Khaled Al-Qourashi, CEO of the Saudi Water Partnerships Co., Khalid Al-Habib, chief investment officer of Water Transmission and technologies Co., ENGIE Saudi Arabia CEO Mohammed Alhajjaj, and Manuel Manjon, CEO of ACCIONA’s water business line.

The participants shared their experience in the sector and explained the importance of managing water resources efficiently to meet the needs of the growing population and expanding economy without compromising future generations’ ability to access clean water.

Given its arid climate and limited freshwater resources, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on desalination plants to meet its water needs.

The speakers emphasized how Saudi Vision 2030 highlights the importance of investing in desalination technology such as reverse osmosis, and of expanding the capacity of existing desalination plants to ensure a reliable supply of freshwater for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest producers of desalinated water, with numerous desalination plants along its coastline. Reverse osmosis technology plays a vital role in addressing water scarcity challenges in the Kingdom by providing a sustainable and reliable source of clean water for different sectors and applications, contributing to the country’s economic development, environmental sustainability, and social well-being.


Mideast, global water sustainability under spotlight at Riyadh forum

Updated 30 April 2024
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Mideast, global water sustainability under spotlight at Riyadh forum

  • 10 workshops held to discuss the region’s water challenges
  • Kingdom’s major projects outlined by Saudi Arabia minister

Riyadh: The third Saudi Water Forum, being held in Riyadh until May 1, has featured 10 workshops focusing on the future of the water sector, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The forum was inaugurated on Monday by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli under the theme “Water Sustainability ... Our Responsibility.”

The forum began with a workshop titled “Getting Started with MODFLOW for Groundwater Modeling” presented by a US Geological Survey speaker, alongside Saudi Aramco sessions titled “Water Conservation” and “Water Safety Plan.”

The National Water Co. presented its future projects and investment opportunities, showcasing its capital projects portfolio, long-term operation and maintenance contracts, and efforts to localize industries in the water sector.

The Saudi Irrigation Organization held a workshop titled “Innovative Techniques to Enhance Irrigation Efficiency and Agricultural Sustainability,” while the Saline Water Conversion Corp. hosted discussions on innovation and challenges in relation to emerging technologies.

The Saudi Water Partnership Co. outlined its services and future projects, while several UN organizations hosted a discussion titled “The Role of International Organizations in Developing the Water Sector.”

Additional workshops included “Water Treatment and Digital Solutions” by K-Water Corp. and “Non-Revenue Water Management” by the Turkish Society for Infrastructure and Trenchless Technologies.

Al-Fadhli opened the forum by stating that Saudi Arabia has launched several regional and global initiatives to address water challenges and explore sustainable solutions, aligning with Vision 2030.

He emphasized the government’s support and commitment to overcoming obstacles in the water sector, to enable the implementation of various strategic projects throughout the Kingdom.

Al-Fadhli highlighted the significance of Saudi Arabia’s water sector initiatives, noting their role in advancing national goals. He said the Kingdom is the world’s largest producer of desalinated water, underscoring the pivotal role of these initiatives.

Saudi Arabia’s projects include the establishment of the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh. This initiative showcases the Kingdom’s role in supporting global efforts to address water challenges and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.


Saudi Arabia features in new series of anime show ‘Grendizer U’

Updated 30 April 2024
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Saudi Arabia features in new series of anime show ‘Grendizer U’

  • The anime project developed by Manga Productions will launch in July

RIYADH: A second promotional video for “Grendizer U”, which returns 40 years after the original anime series, reveals various regions of Saudi Arabia appear in the show.

New designs for characters have also been unveiled and the broadcast date is planned for July.

The video was launched on Riyadh-based Manga Productions’ YouTube channel in Arabic, English, French and Italian. It can also be viewed on the official “Grendizer U” social media accounts via @GrendizerAnime.

Manga Productions’ CEO, Dr. Essam Bukhary, said: “We at Manga Productions, in collaboration with our partners in Japan, are pleased to introduce the character of Grendizer to future generations in a new and exciting way through the distribution and marketing of this work to global audiences. We hope for ‘Grendizer U’ in its new version to inspire the heroes of tomorrow worldwide.”

A strategic partnership between Dynamic Planning, which owns the rights to Grendizer, and Manga Productions was announced in 2022. This led to the unveiling of the character’s statue in Riyadh. Standing more than 33 meters high, it was recorded by Guinness World Records as the largest metal statue of a fictional character in the world.

The first teaser for the new series was launched at the Akiba Daisuki Festival in Tokyo in August 2023, with the initial promotional video following in December.

Last year, Manga Productions also released the game “UFO Robot Grendizer: The Feast of the Wolves” in the Middle East and North Africa, in cooperation with French company Microids.

The official English trailer on Manga Productions’ YouTube channel says the new series is based on Go Nagai’s “UFO Robo Grendizer.” 

The second video features the staff of “Grendizer U,” including General Director Mitsuo Fukuda.