Today, Administrator Power spoke with international partners and U.S. officials to coordinate the United States' humanitarian response to the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.
Administrator Power spoke with General Christopher Cavoli, Commander of the U.S. European Command (EUCOMM), on USAID-EUCOMM coordination in response to the unfolding disaster, including USAID's deployment of two urban search and rescue teams.
In a call with Janez Lenarčič, the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Administrator Power shared the deployment of USAID's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the impacted region. Administrator Power and Commissioner Lenarčič discussed critical coordination between the United States and the 17 European countries who have also deployed teams.
Administrator Power spoke with U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Jeff Flake to better understand Turkish assistance priorities, review the U.S. government's initial response, and to discuss the deep U.S. commitment to supporting the people of Türkiye and Syria.
In a call with Raed al Saleh, head of the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets and a longstanding USAID partner, Administrator Power reiterated USAID's support for the people of Syria and offered condolences for the lives lost. Administrator Power and Mr. al Saleh discussed how USAID can provide the most urgently needed assistance in response to the earthquake and the need for the border between Türkiye and Syria to remain open for critical aid to flow.
