Egypt sends two military planes carrying humanitarian aid to Turkey

CAIRO – 23 February 2023: Egypt sent on Thursday two military planes carrying medical and humanitarian aid to Turkey for the victims of the deadly 7.8-and-7.4 magnitude earthquakes that hit southern Turkey and Syria on Feb. 16, leaving more than 48,000 people dead.

Two military planes took off from East Cairo Air Base, heading to Turkey, carrying large quantities medicines and medical supplies provided by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Defense announced in a statement.

Meanwhile, an Egyptian ship of the naval forces carrying humanitarian aid has arrived to both Turkey and Syria, in accordance with directives given by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

The Egyptian Armed Forces announced Wednesday the arrival of two military jets carrying medical aid, and a cargo ship carrying food to Turkey.

Earlier in February, the president ordered dispatching five military planes to deliver urgent medical relief supplies to earthquake-hit Syria and Turkey. In the former, Egypt also sent the first international team providing support to the Turkey-Syria earthquake victims.

Further, an Egyptian ship loaded with about 500 tons of relief materials arrived in Syria's Lattakia Port on Monday to help deal with earthquake effects and support relief efforts. The cargo was intended to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).