German ministers Baerbock and Faeser in quake-hit Kahramanmaras: The extent of the disaster cannot be described in words

Türkiye cries for the lives lost after the earthquakes that occurred in Kahramanmaras and caused great destruction in 10 provinces. While Türkiye is trying to heal the wounds in the region, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser made investigations in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of the earthquakes described as the "disaster of the century". Minister Baerbock said of the scene he saw, "It cannot be described in words."

A VISIT TO THE MEDICAL SERVICE TENT

Visiting the tent city in Pazarcık Atatürk Park, Baerbock and Faeser received information from the Governor of Kırıkkale, Bülent Tekbıyıkoğlu, who was appointed as the coordinating governor in Pazarcık.

Baerbock and Faeser, who met with the citizens in the tent city and the children in the Red Crescent tent named after the martyr teacher Aybüke Yalçın, also visited the medical service tent set up by volunteer German doctors.

MINISTERS ALSO FEEL THE EARTHQUAKE

Baerbock and Faeser then toured the wreckage areas in the district center and made statements to reporters.

Stating that they came here to see what happened, Baerbock said, "The extent of this earthquake disaster cannot be expressed in words even if you are here."

Reminding that there was an earthquake in the region yesterday and people spent the night in their vehicles, Baerbock said that they felt the earthquake as well.

Baerbock stated that they see how important international aid is here.

Baerbock stated that they see how important international aid is here.

"GERMANY'S AID REACHED 108 MILLION EURO"

Baerbock stated that they provided an additional 50 million euros for tents, medical supplies, food aid, blankets and generators, as the German government, and thus Germany's aid to earthquake victims reached 108 million euros.

Emphasizing that they have facilitated the visa process for those who have relatives in Germany, Baerbock noted that there is a "visa bus" in the region so that people can easily apply for visas.

Baerbock stated that they are in constant contact with the Turkish authorities to ensure that the data transfer of those whose passports are in the rubble is fast.

Baerbock said that although emergency aid is provided in the first place, the aid should be long-term, and that they will provide this aid for a long time in order to provide perspective to people.

"WE ALSO WANT TO SHIP ASSISTANCE TO SYRIA"

Explaining that it is difficult for the aid to reach northern Syria because the Assad regime does not allow humanitarian aid to enter, Baerbock pointed out that the aid provided by Germany also includes Syria and 17 million Euros of the 50 million Euro aid announced today is for Syria.

Baerbock underlined that they want to deliver as much aid as possible to Syria through the crossings opened in Syria.

"MANY PEOPLE HAVE HELPED THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS AS A VOLUNTEER"

German Interior Minister Faeser also stated that they came in solidarity with the earthquake victims, and that they saw not only the sadness but also how well the aid was delivered.

Emphasizing that many people voluntarily send aid to earthquake victims in Türkiye, Feaser said, "This really shows the deep bond between people in Germany and people in Türkiye."

Feaser stated that it is important that the aid continues here and that the Federal Technical Assistance Agency is planning to provide other aid, and that as a second step, living spaces should be created so that those who lost their homes can continue to live in the region.

SCHENGEN VISA

Faeser said that they provide an opportunity for those who have relatives in Germany to go to Germany with a 90-day Schengen visa, adding that this is an additional aid especially for those who have experienced trauma and injuries.

Faeser said he was told that the Turkish authorities are very helpful to those who lost their passports.

(AA)