Many families have been left homeless in Turkey and Syria by the earthquake.
Keystone / Erdem Sahin
Switzerland is sending more experts and equipment to Turkey and Syria to help both countries recover from a devastating earthquake that struck the region earlier this month.
Nearly 50,000 people were killed by the earthquake on February 6 and many more were injured or were left without shelter.
The Swiss Humanitarian Aid unit is sending four medical experts to Turkey and plus two engineers and two disaster aid personnel to Syria.
They will replace the 87-strong team of rescue specialists and dogs who initially went to the area.
Switzerland has already contributed CHF8 million ($8.6 million) in humanitarian aid.
The United Nations says Turkey will eventually require $1 billion in international aid and Syria $400 million.
The new Swiss teams will take 100 winter tents to Turkey to supplement the 300 tents already donated.
Switzerland also plans to equip Syria with 300 tents that can withstand winter conditions.
In addition, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has helped a Swiss retailer transport several tons of winter equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, lamps, heaters and winter clothing, to the region.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
How centuries of Swiss emigrants left their mark on the US
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
This content was published on
Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner won the 5,000 metres to bring home Switzerland’s first gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Turkish demand for fast-track visas to Switzerland on the rise
This content was published on
Switzerland has already received 1,500 requests for visas under an accelerated process for earthquake refugees, RTS reports on Friday.
Swiss rescue team returns from Turkey after earthquake effort
This content was published on
Swiss search and rescue specialists have returned home after helping out in Turkey, which along with Syria was struck by a massive earthquake last week.
Swiss humanitarian aid deployed in Turkey and Syria
This content was published on
Swiss rescue workers arrive in Turkey to assist victims of two earthquakes that have killed more than 4,800 people in Turkey and Syria.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.