The agency said in a statement that the funding would be disbursed to partners on the ground “with the aim of providing the necessary emergency assistance to millions of people”. She added that the funding will also support the provision of clean drinking water and sanitation to prevent the spread of epidemics.
This comes after US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken earlier Thursday contacted his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss Turkey’s needs.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, “We are proud to join the global effort to help Turkey, just as Turkey has often contributed, through its experts, to the humanitarian rescue operations of many other countries.”
At the same time, the US Treasury Department announced the temporary lifting of some sanctions imposed on Syria, with the aim of delivering aid to the affected population as quickly as possible.
The ministry explained that this measure “allows for 180 days all deals related to assistance to earthquake victims, which were prohibited” under the sanctions imposed on Syria.
The US Treasury also noted that US sanctions programs “contain substantially robust waivers for humanitarian operations.”
Officials reported that the United States has sent rescue teams to Turkey, while providing assistance in Syria through local partners because Washington refuses to deal with President Bashar al-Assad and demands accountability for those responsible for abuses during the civil war.
“We urge the (Bashar al-Assad) regime to immediately allow the entry of aid through all border posts and to allow humanitarian (organizations) to reach all Syrians in need without exception,” Price said.
© 2023 AFP
