UK campaign generates $72.8 million for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria
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Alaina
- . February 14, 2023
- . Update: February 14, 2023 10:55 pm
An appeal in the UK to raise money for those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria was able to generate £60 million ($72.8 million) in just three days, according to The Daily Mail on Monday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and King Charles III, who stated they were “horrified” by the “harrowing photographs” of the areas impacted, have all lent their support to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s campaign, which supports 15 organisations.
“We’re tremendously grateful to the British public for their hugely generous response,” DEC CEO Saleh Saeed remarked.
However, the UK government, which has also made a $5 million donation to the fund, has come under fire for continuing to impose sanctions on Syria, making it more difficult to facilitate humanitarian relief.
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The UK’s development minister, Andrew Mitchell, stated to the BBC on Sunday that the sanctions imposed by his nation against Syria are still in effect.
Ministers would “do everything [they] can” to ensure that aid reaches those in need, he promised.
“We would want to have sanctions lifted specifically here, where they would hold us back in any manner, but right now we are able to get what we want through,” he continued.
On Saturday, the US announced a 180-day suspension of its sanctions against the violent nation for “any transactions linked to earthquake relief activities.”
