Foreign Aid Flows Into Turkey and Syria After Earthquake, From Both Allies and Adversaries

Foreign aid poured into Turkey and Syria — from U.S. allies and adversaries alike — after earthquakes killed tens of thousands in the region.

Key Players: On Thursday, the U.S. pledged another $85 million in humanitarian assistance. The U.N. released $25 million in emergency funds, and China committed 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) in initial humanitarian assistance. Teams of firefighters and search-and-rescue personnel came to Turkey from the U.S., the U.K., the E.U., Australia, Israel, Pakistan, India, Lebanon, Japan, China, and more. Mexico sent its famous search dog team. Middle Eastern neighbors like Iraq, Iran, and Egypt also delivered emergency aid. Both Russia and Ukraine contributed to relief efforts; a former Chechen commander who allegedly committed war crimes in Ukraine also led Russia’s rescue efforts in Turkey. Even the Taliban said it would send $165,000 in aid. 

For Context: While Turkey has been the primary focus of relief efforts, others have voiced particular concern for Syria, which had already been battered by a deadly civil war. Only one border crossing is presently open between Turkey and Syria, and until Thursday, it would reportedly only allow relief workers to transport bodies — not aid. Regular U.N. aid shipments finally arrived in opposition-held Idlib on Thursday, as cold temperatures deepened the humanitarian crisis. 

How the Media Covered It: Coverage of rescue efforts and international aid was widespread across the spectrum. Fox News (Right bias) stood out by highlighting reports of narcotics smuggling in aid shipments or concerns about potential Iranian arms smuggling.