Engineer Arnous: All state institutions are on alert, and we have taken measures to organize relief work in the affected areas

Prime Minister, Eng. Hussein Arnous, affirmed that the measures and decisions taken by the Cabinet in its extraordinary session on Friday contribute directly to organizing relief work in the affected areas, limiting damages, identifying buildings that are about to fall, and taking the necessary actions in this regard by the concerned authorities through the public safety teams and branches of the Engineers Syndicate. He referred to identifying damaged buildings that can be restored  and their residents can return to them as soon as possible, in addition to developing executive programs to deal with damages after accurately counting them.

Engineer Arnous said in a press statement that all state institutions have been on alert around the clock since the first moment of the devastating earthquake, in coordination with local community institutions, civil associations, the private sector, organizations, unions, federations and national initiatives throughout the whole country. He underlined the great efforts exerted at all levels to secure health and relief care for the injured and affected, and to secure all the requirements of the shelters that receive thousands in the affected areas. The rescue teams from civil defense and firefighting, men of the Syrian Arab Army, teams of construction institutions, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and many volunteers from brotherly and friendly countries are still making  great efforts in these difficult circumstances that the country is going through to respond to the repercussions of the earthquake disaster.

The Prime Minister pointed out that approving the establishment of a national fund for the reconstruction of the affected areas is an important and necessary step in contributing to rebuilding what was destroyed by the earthquake in various sectors. During the cabinet session on Friday, the ministries and concerned authorities were assigned to prepare a database for all the required needs of medicines and medical supplies, relief materials, machinery and oil derivatives to continue rescue operations, search for survivors, remove rubble, and secure all the needs of those affected.

Regarding the distribution of aid, Eng. Arnous said that a decision was taken confirming coordination between government institutions, federations, trade unions, and civil associations, and limiting the delivery of aid to the Higher Committee for Relief, which in turn distributes it to the affected governorates. Governors were also instructed to nominate a special supervisor for each shelter center to distribute these materials and ensure their arrival to those affected by the earthquake.

The Prime Minister said that the concerned institutions are communicating with various friendly and brotherly countries and international organizations concerned with relief to provide support to the Syrian people to face the repercussions of this disaster, which led to large numbers of victims and the injury of many, in addition to the collapse and damage of thousands of homes. He wished mercy for the victims and a speedy recovery for the wounded.

He appealed to brotherly and friendly countries to provide aid that contributes to relief work and rescue operations, expressing appreciation to the countries that support the Syrian people in this ordeal.

Inas Abdulkareem