Canada Still Determining How to Best Help Turkey, Syria After Earthquake: Trudeau

Aerial photo shows the destruction in Hatay city centre, southern Turkey, Feb. 7, 2023. The Canadian Press/AP, IHA

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is still determining how to best help those affected by Monday’s devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Trudeau says Ottawa has been speaking with its counterparts in the region, diplomatic staff and the international community about how to provide support in the best way.

Both Turkey and Syria were rocked Monday by the massive quake, setting off international aid efforts that now include a $10-million commitment from the Canadian government and search and rescue teams being flown in from the United States.

Trudeau says many Canadians have origins or family members in Turkey, particularly many of the Syrian refugees who have come to Canada in recent years.

The earthquake that razed thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria became one of the deadliest quakes worldwide in more than a decade Wednesday as the death toll surpassed 11,000 and kept rising.

Donations are pouring into a Vancouver warehouse for those affected by the earthquake, but a volunteer organizer says the countries could most benefit from professional search and rescue teams.