Turkey Earthquake Disaster

Emma Best AM moved and Joanne McCartney AM seconded the following Motion:

“This Assembly notes with sadness, the catastrophic earthquakes which hit Turkey on Sunday 5th February 2023. The disaster has taken thousands of lives across Turkey and Syria and caused widespread destruction across the region.

This Assembly recognises that many Londoners will be impacted by this tragedy, with some losing loved ones in the countries affected.

The Assembly recognises the valuable contribution which Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian communities make across London.

The Assembly supports and thanks Londoners for the widespread community action which is taking place across our city to support those impacted by this tragedy.

We further welcome the Mayor and London Fire Brigade sending twelve members of the International Search and Rescue team to assist with the rescue effort; our thanks go to those twelve individuals for their bravery and dedication.
 
The Assembly welcomes the Government’s rapid response to this disaster through the immediate deployment of 76 search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment to Turkey to assist rescue efforts. We also welcome the Government’s move to send an Emergency Medical Team to assess the situation on the ground and their contact with the UN on emergency humanitarian support to those affected in Syria.

The Assembly calls on the Mayor of London to bring together partners and communities across London in their efforts to support relief efforts for this disaster.

The Assembly also calls on the Mayor of London and the Foreign Office to work together to support Londoners personally impacted by this disaster who have loved ones in the impacted region.”

Following debate and upon being put to a vote, the Motion was agreed unanimously.