In an interview with Anadolu, Karman said, "in general, there is great popular sympathy and solidarity shown by the Arab countries, and this is not surprising because what unites the Arabs and the Turks is more than what separates them."
At least 36,187 people were killed by two strong earthquakes that jolted southern Türkiye on Feb. 6, says disaster agency on Thursday.
The magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 tremors last week were centered in Kahramanmaras and struck nine other provinces – Hatay, Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakir, Kilis, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa. More than 13 million people have been affected by the devastating quakes.
Humanitarian response
The Yemeni activist stated that "the Tawakkol Karman Foundation is providing relief to the afflicted as part of local and international humanitarian efforts that seek to mitigate the damages of the disaster and help those who lost their homes and loved ones."
According to Karman, the foundation seeks to "build 50 housing units, which, upon completion, will be handed over to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Authority (AFAD)."
It also seeks to "deliver donations and mobilize resources and efforts to meet the need, similar to other civil society organizations and humanitarian work."
The assistance includes "blankets, mattresses, winter clothes, foodstuffs, and some sanitary materials and personal hygiene tools."
Karman explained that "the campaign, which is conducted in coordination with the Turkish authorities, will focus on Reyhanli in Hatay Governorate, to which many of the displaced have sought refuge, in addition to other regions in southern Türkiye."
Karman also stated that "financial donation to support institutions operating in northern Syria is also included in the campaign's agenda."
Yemeni solidarity
Karman emphasized that "the Yemeni people have fraternal affection towards the Syrian and Turkish peoples."
"The Yemenis in Türkiye did what any responsible person should do. They contributed with financial and blood donations," she added.
"Arab solidarity, to a large extent, was very good, but we should not forget that there is a general weakness in the equipment and preparations for confronting natural disasters," Karman added.
She stressed that "the popular sympathy and great solidarity shown by the Arab countries is not surprising, as what unites Arabs and Turks is more than what separates them."
Since the earthquake, Arab activists have expressed on social media their grief and solidarity with the afflicted in both Türkiye and Syria.
Activists in Tunisia, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia interacted with the earthquake disaster, expressing solidarity with the two peoples, where they volunteered to collect donations and deliver them to the afflicted.
Good management
The Yemeni activist said, "Let us admit that the catastrophe is very big, and yet it seems that the reaction of the Turkish government and agencies is good."
"The rescue, evacuation and shelter operations, as well as the provision of the necessary supplies for those in need, were done fast," she added.
"The government's pledges to restore what was destroyed and to provide assistance to those affected indicate that it is committed to alleviating the suffering of the affected areas," according to Karman.
On Saturday, the Turkish president pledged to rebuild the quake-hit region as part of a yearlong plan.
Karman criticized the international response and the efforts of the international community, saying, "Through the news that is being reported, there is an international response, but I do not imagine that it was as big as the disaster."
She explained that "there should be more attention by the international community towards natural disasters around the world."
Karman stressed that "it is possible to work hard to find certain fixed and flexible means that help in mitigating the damages resulting from natural disasters."
The Yemeni activist concluded by saying, "This is one of the problems that should be addressed by the world, not only by the affected countries."