People search for survivors under the rubble following an earthquake in Diyarbakir, Turkiye on Feb 6, 2023.- Reuters
PUTRAJAYA: A second Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance Rescue Team (SMART) will be dispatched to assist in rescue operations in the earthquake-hit southern Turkiye, says the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said a 70-man team comprising Nadma, the Civil Defence Force, and the Fire and Rescue Department will leave Wednesday (Feb 8) night.
"The government of Turkiye had requested for another team to be sent as they are happy with the assistance given by the SMART team which we had dispatched earlier," he said on Wednesday after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Malaysia had sent a 70-member team on Monday night to Turkiye, including a medical team from the Royal Medical Corps, and the Fire and Rescue Department's K9 unit.
The Prime Minister also announced that Malaysia would give US$1mil (RM4.3mil) as aid to the people of Turkiye and Syria affected by the earthquake.
He said Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar had also consented to contribute US$1mil to help the earthquake victims.
"We hope our assistance and contribution will help ease the pain and difficulties faced by the people in Turkiye and Syria who have been affected by the earthquake," said Anwar.
