RAMSTEIN, Germany - Headquarters Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) and Ramstein Air Base facilitated a combined Humanitarian Aid campaign in support of earthquake victims from February 13 to March 11.
Organised by the Turkish National Support Unit more than five tons of materials consisting of blankets, tents, sleeping bags, hygiene products and winter clothes have been collected and donated during the combined campaign by AIRCOM staff and the Ramstein Air Base Community.
We had a great and very effective organization witnessing full support of our colleagues and their families in this aid campaign and we really appreciate all their efforts and mutual cooperation
“We are deeply saddened by the devastating disaster that occurred in our country on February 6, 2023. Our only solace is the support and solidarity of our Allies. Almost all of our colleagues and friends shared our mourning just after the disaster. A saying goes ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’ and all of our Allies proved they are for hard times as well”, said Brigadier General Ömer Nafiz Gülmezoğlu, AIRCOM Deputy Chief of Staff Plans. “We had a great and very effective organization witnessing full support of our colleagues and their families in this aid campaign and we really appreciate all their efforts and mutual cooperation”, he added.
Turkish Delegation at NATO AIRCOM helping out filling the truck. Photo: NATO AIRCOM
The donations were loaded for shipment to the earthquake areas via ground transportation on March 11 and are expected to arrive in Türkiye on March 17. The humanitarian goods will be handed over to earthquake victims through the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency.
On February 6, two devastating earthquakes struck eleven cities of Türkiye and areas in norther Syria causing widespread damage collapsing more than 50,000 buildings over an area of about 350,000 square kilometres. More than 14 million people were affected while 1.5 million people were left homeless