French politician hails Turkish humanitarian mobilization after violent earthquakes

ANKARA

A French politician hailed the efforts of Türkiye after the earthquakes last week.

Deborah Abisror-De Lieme, secretary-general of the Renaissance Group at the National Assembly, told Anadolu that she visited Elbistan district in Kahramanmaras province after the earthquakes.

"When I saw the earthquakes, I came to Türkiye without hindering the rescue operations, in order to express French people's solidarity, to show that we have not forgotten them and that we stand with them," Abisror-De Lieme said.

A campaign was organized before the visit, and the materials collected were also brought to Türkiye, she added.

"I observed an amazing chain of solidarity formed by Türkiye and its people," the politician said. "Everyone was here. People were racing to provide help (…)."

Abisror-De Lieme also noted that some villagers near Elbistan were hosting other victims in rooms in their houses.

She expressed her amazement when she saw hundreds of people digging the rubble despite the cold, to save a woman.

The politician said France has sent a field hospital as well as rescue teams.

"It was time to take sides with Türkiye. As a French, I was proud of it," she added and called the international community to keep providing support.

Thierry Velu, founder of the international humanitarian association of firefighters (GSCF), on Twitter also hailed the efforts of the people of Türkiye.

Velu said he has taken part in the rescue operations after the 1999 earthquakes that hit the northwestern part of the country.

"I was impressed by Turkish people's support," he wrote, and praised the "amazing kindness."

"Thank you for hosting us with your heart," he said.

On Feb. 6, two massive earthquakes struck southern Türkiye.

The magnitude 7.6 and 7.7 quakes were felt in several countries and caused destruction in northern Syria.

More than 31,600 people were killed in Türkiye, according to the latest official figures, while the death toll topped 3,600 in Syria.

*Writing by Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara