Muhammed Enes Calli
21 February 2023•Update: 22 February 2023
KAHRAMANMARAS, Türkiye
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday said the extent of the Feb. 6 twin earthquakes in Türkiye "cannot be explained in words," as she along with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser visited the Turkish province of Kahramanmaras to gain a first-hand impression of the situation on the ground.
After visiting a tent city and a medical center established by German volunteers in the Pazarcik district of Kahramanmaras, the epicenter of the quakes, both ministers went to the town's city center and spoke to journalists regarding their observations.
"The extent of this earthquake disaster cannot be expressed in words even if you are here," Baerbock said.
According to her, Berlin has provided an additional €50 million in aid, taking the country's total contribution to €108 million to assist Türkiye and Syria's ongoing response to massive earthquakes, which have caused widespread death and destruction. The aid package also includes tents, medical supplies, food, blankets, and generators, she added.
She said the government is also facilitating visa process for those who have relatives in Germany, noting that there is a mobile visa application bus, which can accept and process visa applications locally in the region.
Interior Minister Faeser said they wanted to show solidarity with victims of the disaster, and that they met families who lost homes and their loved ones.
She said they did not only feel the sadness of the people, but also witnessed how well the German aid packages were being distributed in the quake-hit region, showing "the deep bond between Germans and the Turkish people."
