Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, ordered the Israeli defense system to send a special aid delegation to Turkey in response to the recent earthquake, on Tuesday (October 25) after the offer was accepted by the Turkish authorities.
The assistance will focus on temporary buildings necessary for the rehabilitation of people rescued and evacuated at disaster sites in Turkey, as well as essential field hospital structures. Israeli Air Force aircraft are currently preparing to transfer these buildings.
A prefabricated home sent by Israel is loaded off an Israeli cargo plane at Ankara airport
before being transported to the earthquake zone, Oct 27, 2011 (Photo: Reuters)
The Turkish request was transferred via the Israeli Consul stationed in Ankara.
Two days ago Defense Minister Barak already spoke to Maj. Gen. Amos Gilad, Director of Policy and Political-Military Affairs of the Israeli Defense Ministry, offering Turkish authorities any assistance needed in dealing with the earthquake that took place in eastern Turkey. In response, the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz instructed the IDF to prepare for the possibility of a search and rescue aid delegation sent to Turkey. The Home Font Command prepared the relevant forces.
Minister for Home Front Defense, Matan Vilani, offered Turkey assistance. The Minister spoke with the Home Front Command Chief, Maj. Gen, Eyal Eizenberg regarding IDF preparations for the an aid delegation sent to the area.
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu spoke with his Turkish counterpart expressing his condolences for the deaths and damage caused by the earthquake. Israeli President, Shimon Peres, spoke with Abdullah Gul, his Turkish counterpart, expressing his condolences and offering assistance from Israel.