Visit to seismic zone of German ministers
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser conducted investigations in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, the epicenter of the earthquakes.
Visiting the tent city in Pazarcık Atatürk Park, Baerbock and Faeser received information from the Governor of Kırıkkale, Bülent Tekbıyıkoğlu, who was appointed Coordinating Governor in Pazarcık. Baerbock and Faeser, who met with citizens in the tent city and children in the Red Crescent tent named after the martyred teacher Aybüke Yalçın, also visited the medical service tent set up by volunteer German doctors.
‘WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS IT’
Baerbock and Faeser then toured the wreckage areas in the center of the district and made statements to reporters. Stating that they came here to see what happened, Baerbock said: “The magnitude of the disaster of this earthquake cannot be expressed in words, even if you are here.”
Recalling that there was an earthquake in the region yesterday and people spent the night in their vehicles, Baerbock said they also felt the earthquake. Baerbock expressed that they see how important international aid is here.
Baerbock claimed that it provided an additional €50 million for tents, medical supplies, food aid, blankets and generators, like the German government, bringing Germany’s aid to earthquake victims to €108 million.
German Interior Minister Faeser also stated that they came in solidarity with the earthquake victims and saw not only the sadness but also how well the aid was delivered. Emphasizing that many people voluntarily send aid to earthquake victims in Turkey, Feaser said, “This really shows the deep bond between the people of Germany and the people of Turkey.”
Faeser said that they provide an opportunity for those who have relatives in Germany to go to Germany on a 90-day Schengen visa, adding that this is additional help, especially for those who have suffered trauma and injury. Faeser said he was told that the Turkish authorities are very helpful to those who have lost their passports. (AA)