The UAE Will Establish A Field Hospital In The Turkish Earthquake Disaster Zone

JAKARTA - A United Arab Emirates (UAE) field hospital will operate in Turkey's Hatay Province, where medics can treat the injured in Gaziantep, Turkey's Ambassador to the UAE said on Wednesday.

The coastal province of Hatay, which borders northwestern Syria, is one of the worst-hit areas hit by the deadliest earthquakes in more than a decade, which has killed more than 15,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

"A field hospital sent by the UAE will be stationed in Hatay," Tugay Tuncer, Turkey's ambassador told The National News as quoted on February 9.

"The UAE medical team will take to the field and will operate from the disaster zone," he said.

"I was at the airport in Abu Dhabi to personally say goodbye to one of the teams going to Gaziantep, one of Turkey's most devastated locations," he said.

The cargo plane carrying the SAR team and medical equipment has left the UAE for Turkey and Syria, as part of the country's 2 'Gallant Knight' operation.

In addition, aid supplies will continue to be flown under the needs of Turkey.

"This is a very comprehensive operation launched by the UAE leadership," said Tuncer.

"The cargo plane will continue. As long as it is needed, the UAE will continue to support Turkey," he continued.

Supply of aid is being flown to Gaziantep and Adana airports in the earthquake zone, and then distributed to people in need.

Tuncer said he was touched by UAE support, as people from all over the country donated winter clothes, canned food and baby food to embassies and consulates in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

"People bring things to share and it makes us very emotional, it really touches us," he praised.

"We now have to look after survivors. Food will be very important and that will be the main target soon," he said.

More than 6,000 buildings were destroyed in Turkey's south. Rescue workers continue to release people trapped under the rubble. In Hatay alone, more than 1,200 buildings have been destroyed, the Turkish government said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency in the 10 worst provinces over the next three months.