An Israeli cargo ship unloaded last Friday morning humanitarian aid at the Port of Mersin, in Turkey. The cargo was contributed for the victims of last month's deadly earthquakes that struck Turkey's eastern region.
The ship, chartered by the Israeli Defense Ministry, was carrying mobile homes which will be used to house the thousands of people left homeless following the tremors that struck the area near the city of Van.
Initially, Turkey said it would try to handle the disaster alone but turned to other nations once the magnitude of the disaster became clear.
The aid was forwarded per the request of the government in Ankara and the mobile homes were sufficient to house around 1,000 people.
In October, a 7.2 magnitude quake killed 600 people in Turkey’s eastern region, leaving thousands homeless. Less than three weeks later, another 5.7 earthquake hit the same region, killing five and burying scores under rubble.
After the first quake, Israel sent a civilian aircraft to Turkey carrying prefabricated homes, warm blankets and mattresses.
Homelessness became a serious issue in the quake zone as winter temperatures dropped and heavy snows began to fall last week.
