Ottawa said Canada will allocate $10 million to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria as part of an initial aid package.
According to the Minister of International Development Harjit Sajan, the federal Government is assessing the needs for further assistance, and is also considering sending a disaster relief team to the country to assist in rescue operations.
The death toll from Monday’s earthquake exceeded 5,300 and is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.8, followed by strong aftershocks, leveled thousands of buildings in southeastern Turkey and neighboring Syria.
Turkish Vice President Faut Oktay said that at the moment more than 8000 people have been extracted from the rubble in his country, and about 380,000 have found refuge in government hotels and buildings.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that Canada is ready to provide assistance and expressed condolences to the victims.
