PH discussing possible aid to quake-hit Syria: DFA

FILE: The Philippine Contingent conducts the following operations as part of the humanitarian mission in the Republic of Türkiye. (Photo: NDRRMC/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said discussions are ongoing on the possibility of extending assistance to Syria, which was severely affected when a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye last week.

In a Laging Handa briefing, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said relevant offices are in talks to identify the kind of aid that could be provided to the Middle Eastern country.

“[M]ay ongoing discussion on anong klaseng assistance ang ibibigay po sa Syria. Kasi each country has unique circumstance, unique needs (There is an ongoing discussion as to what kind of assistance would be given to Syria. This is because each country has unique circumstance, unique needs). So, there’s a need for matching,” she said.

The United Nations had earlier launched USD397 million humanitarian appeal to help secure “desperately needed” relief for nearly five million people in Syria.

More than 4,400 deaths and 8,100 injuries have been reported in northwest Syria since the earthquake struck Türkiye on Feb. 6.

Based on latest UN figures, about 9,000 buildings in the country were completely or partially destroyed in the country, leaving 11,000 people homeless.

The DFA said none of the 60 Filipinos in the affected areas were hurt.

At present, a six-man team from the Philippine Embassy in Damascus is in Aleppo to extend immediate assistance to them, Daza said.

“They have been checked, they have not been adversely affected, there is no casualty. So, they are being addressed, some financial assistance is being given or relief is being given them,” she said.

“[I]n terms of the bigger picture – the support for the country is actually being discussed,” she added.