Albanese government commits additional $8 million in aid for Turkey, Syria earthquake clean-up

The Prime Minister has signed an official condolence and committed a $8m worth of additional aid for Turkey and Syrian quake efforts.

Australia has committed an additional $8 million to the ongoing humanitarian effort in the wake of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the new commitment when he visited the Turkish embassy on Wednesday afternoon to meet the Ambassador Ufuk Gezer and sign the official condolence book.

The latest package is in addition to the $10 million already committed.

Three Australians are among the more than 40,000 killed in the February 6 quake.

The funding will go to protecting those made the most vulnerable by the disaster, as well as supporting ongoing search and rescue efforts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with the Turkish Ambassador Ufuk Gezer to offer official condolences after last week’s earthquake. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Of the latest commitment, $4.5 million will go directly to efforts in Turkey, with the other $3.5 million to go to the United Nations Population Fund to deliver maternal and child health services and safe housing for women and children in Syria.

The earthquakes have exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria.

“We extend Australia’s deepest sympathies to families and communities that have lost loved ones in the earthquakes, including families here in Australia,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.

“This funding will provide lifesaving assistance.”

Three Australians are among the more than 40,000 people killed in the disaster. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Last week, 72 specialist search-and-rescue Australian Defence Force troops arrived to help in the recovery efforts.

The government has now committed $18 million to aid and assistance. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage