Earthquakes hit Turkey earlier this week, claiming thousands of lives across Turkey and Syria and causing widespread destruction across the region.
The London Assembly recognises the valuable contribution Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian communities make across London and acknowledges that many Londoners will be impacted, with some losing loved ones in the countries affected.
It also recognises and thanks Londoners for the widespread community action which is taking place across our city to support those impacted by this tragedy.
That is why the London Assembly is today urging the Mayor to bring together partners and communities across London in their efforts to support relief efforts for this disaster.
It also calls on the Mayor and the Foreign Office to work together to support Londoners personally impacted by this disaster who have loved ones in the impacted region.
Emma Best AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Catastrophic earthquakes have taken thousands of lives across Turkey and Syria, and our thoughts are with everyone affected. Many Londoners will be impacted by this tragedy, with some losing loved ones in the countries affected.
“The London Assembly has approved my motion today to recognise the incredible contributions that people across the city have made to relief efforts, as well as the vital support the government has offered to assist with rescues.
“We are calling on the Mayor to bring together partners and communities across London to help with relief efforts, and to work with the Foreign Office to support Londoners personally impacted by this disaster.”
Joanne McCartney AM, who seconded the motion said:
“My thoughts are with the Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian communities in London who have been affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
“The humanitarian impact of this disaster is devastating. Many Londoners are still awaiting news of loved ones in the region.
“The Government’s rapid response is welcome - we must ensure support continues to meet the scale of this crisis in the aftermath.
“Thank you to all those collecting donations and giving to the relief effort and thank you to the twelve individuals from the London Fire Brigade for their bravery and dedication.
“It is vital that the Assembly works together to support London’s relief efforts and those Londoners who are personally impacted.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes with sadness, the catastrophic earthquakes which hit Turkey on Sunday 5th February 2023. The disaster has taken thousands of lives across Turkey and Syria and caused widespread destruction across the region.
This Assembly recognises that many Londoners will be impacted by this tragedy, with some losing loved ones in the countries affected.
The Assembly recognises the valuable contribution which Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian communities make across London.
The Assembly supports and thanks Londoners for the widespread community action which is taking place across our city to support those impacted by this tragedy.
We further welcome the Mayor and London Fire Brigade sending twelve members of the International Search and Rescue team to assist with the rescue effort; our thanks go to those twelve individuals for their bravery and dedication.
The Assembly welcomes the Government’s rapid response to this disaster through the immediate deployment of 76 search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment to Turkey to assist rescue efforts. We also welcome the Government’s move to send an Emergency Medical Team to assess the situation on the ground and their contact with the UN on emergency humanitarian support to those affected in Syria.
The Assembly calls on the Mayor of London to bring together partners and communities across London in their efforts to support relief efforts for this disaster.
The Assembly also calls on the Mayor of London and the Foreign Office to work together to support Londoners personally impacted by this disaster who have loved ones in the impacted region.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Emma Best AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Emma Bowden on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.