Many experts point out that Azerbaijan was the first country to send aid to Turkey. In the first hours after the earthquake, following the order of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, a plane with 370 rescue workers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations departed for Adana. Another plane followed carrying humanitarian aid: tents, blankets, medicines… Two more planes with military medics and a field hospital were sent to Turkey by the decision of the head of the state. Azerbaijan sent aid to Turkey without waiting for official requests. To many, these events reminded of October 23, 2011, when strong earthquakes shook the vicinity of Van. Then, too, Azerbaijan sent its rescuers to Turkey without waiting for requests and appeals. Specialists know that the first hours and the first day after the tremors are critical: the faster people can be extracted from under the rubble and receive help, the better their chances of survival. Especially now, in the winter, with subzero temperatures in the affected areas.
The scale of the disaster is much greater today than it was in 2011. And frankly, Azerbaijan has much more “rapid response forces” available to deal with such natural disasters. The speed of decision-making remains the same: act quickly, without waiting for every bureaucratic procedure to be completed.
In the summer of 2021, Azerbaijan sent its rescue teams and special equipment to Turkey to fight forest fires as well. At that time Baku did not wait for requests and appeals either: if the brotherly country is in trouble, we must help.
And another, human aspect, if you will. Turkey has declared seven days of mourning for the victims of the earthquake. Without waiting for official decisions and orders, Azerbaijan cancels all celebrations and festivities. There is no live or recorded music playing in cafés and restaurants. There are not even any street musicians. Because it would be inappropriate for us to make merry while Turkey is grieving. Even if one has no personal friends and acquaintances there, in Kahramanmaraş and Gaziantep.
Just because this is Turkey. And this is Azerbaijan.
