Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Tehran: The text of the statement of Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, Dr. Ali Karimian, Secretary General of the Islamic Radio and Television Union, is as follows:
A devastating earthquake occurred in Turkey and Syria at dawn on the 6
th of February, 2023, and shook a number of countries in the region, and the magnitude of this incident affected different sections of the society. This terrible event requires the efforts of the countries of the region and the international community in providing assistance in all fields to the victims of this earthquake, especially the victims in Syria, which has witnessed deep economic problems and is now suffering from a lack of facilities and materials. It is necessary to provide assistance due to sanctions and effects of war.
Therefore, we request all media institutions to pay special attention to this incident and its results and consequences and to launch campaigns to collect public aid for the victims in their media. The people of the earthquake-affected areas are now in dire need of our cooperation in these harsh conditions and cold winter weather.
Therefore, we invite all media activists to launch public assistance campaigns and programs of sympathy and cooperation with the victims and to devote special attention and wide coverage time to this issue in the media. News and analytical programs as well as various reports should be prepared to cover this event and all aspects of it should be taken into consideration:
Health department: providing assistance to emergency departments and hospitals and sending medicine and medical needs.
Relief sector: action of private companies and construction companies to provide debris removal equipment as well as provide immediate needs such as tents, blankets, food and heating equipment and send it to Syria.
Social sector: Be prepared for mental health aid groups to help survivors of the earthquake, especially children and women, and prepare guidelines for dealing with problems after the earthquake.
People's Committees: offering financial and material aid and providing a mechanism for collecting people's aid to the victims.
The Islamic Radio and Television Union requests all social and media institutions to pay special attention to this issue. He also invites all the media to cross the wall of borders by creating and promoting a sense of sympathy and philanthropy, because humanity and the sense of philanthropy know no borders.
Meanwhile, according to the latest statistics, the death toll of this terrible earthquake in Turkey and northern Syria has reached about 5 thousand people.