KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society announced that the 13th plane of Kuwait Air Force Air Bridge took off Tuesday. It was loaded with 40 tons of tents, blankets and medical supplies for the victims of earthquake disaster that recently struck southern Turkey and Syria. The convoy is part of the assistance of the government and the people of Kuwait to the Turkish and Syrian people, KRCS General Director Abdul Rahman Al-Oun said in a statement to KUNA.

Groups of volunteers are evaluating the needs in earthquake-hit areas to take necessary actions in addition to another team which distributes humanitarian aids, tents, daily meals, in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent Society, Al-Oun added. He pointed out that donations received through the association's website with the approval of the Ministry of Social Affairs, stresses the keenness of KRCS to provide treatment, medicines and all necessary supplies to shelter those affected by the earthquake.

He expressed his deep thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense, represented by the Kuwaiti Air Force, which worked to send the air bridge to Turkey. He stated that Kuwait, with all its official and civil institutions and bodies, was and will remain at the forefront of donor countries and initiating relief and humanitarian work to alleviate the suffering of victims and the afflicted caused by conflicts and disasters around the world.

Meanwhile, Vali of Kahramanmaras, Bulent Tekbiyik Oglu on Wednesday commended the prompt Kuwaiti response to the destructive earthquake of south Turkey that left thousands dead and injured, and infrastructure completely ruined. On the sidelines of aid distribution to around 300 families in Kahramanmaras, Oglu expressed his gratitude for both Kuwait and Qatar as the two Gulf states began providing humanitarian support immediately after the quake.

Oglu added that the coordination between the two states facilitated aid distribution and its arrival in Turkey. Head of relief and international development in Qatari Red Crescent Society Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim hailed this collaboration with Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) saying that it is not the first of its kind but one of many.

Deputy Chairman of KRCS Anwar Al-Hasawi told KUNA that aid distribution included foodstuff, tents, blankets and daily meals. Al-Hasawi stated that they aspire for more collaborations as this furthers humanitarian work. On February 6, a destructive 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook the Turkish south and Syrian north followed by another measuring 7.6 on Richter scale and hundreds of violent aftershocks causing major losses in lives and property. - KUNA