The Mexican search and rescue team sent to the earthquake zone in Turkey last week concluded their labors, returning home on Thursday, February 16.
Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the rescuers recovered four people alive from the ruins of collapsed buildings, as well as 29 bodies.
Ebrard also confirmed that Mexico sent 100 tons of materials, equipment and food to the earthquake zone, much of it leaving on an Air Ethiopia plane that took off Wednesday evening from Mexico City.
Committing Mexico to international humanitarian efforts to provide assistance to thousands of homeless people, Ebrard said Mexico will also donate $US6 million to Syria to help in that country’s relief program.
Unlike in Turkey, where international aid arrived swiftly, the rebel held earthquake affected zone of northwestern Syria has received a barely a trickle of relief. Reports say the population has been left shellshocked by this latest calamity, coming on top the trauma caused by 12 years of civil war.
The United Nations (UN) has issued an appeal for US$397 million in aid to help five million Syrian survivors with shelter, healthcare and food.
Turkish authorities say 35,418 people have been killed in the country, while the Syrian government and the UN say more than 5,800 people hace died in Syria.
In a sad note, Mexican Defense Minster Luis Cresencio Sandoval reported the death of Proteo, one of the 16 rescue dogs that accompanied the 150-strong team to Turkey.