Governments and charities across Asia have been mobilising to respond to the devastation caused by the earthquake that struck Tukey and Syria last week.

A deadly earthquake struck Turkey and Syria earlier this month. The death toll is estimated to be more than 40,000. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Across the region, governments have started sending search-and-rescue teams, as well as relief aid, as the death toll has soared. Current estimates put the death toll above 40,000, as the cold weather is putting those trapped under rubble at risk of hypothermia.

The Singapore Red Cross has pledged $100,000 in humanitarian aid, funnelling the donations to its sister organisations in the region – the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

Also from Singapore, the government has sent a team to Turkey consisting of members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force, officers from the elite Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, paramedics and a doctor.

China has extended $5.8 million in emergency aid to Turkey and Syria, as well as sending relief experts to the region with advanced radar life detectors, demolition, and rescue equipment.

Among other countries to send rescue crews are Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, and India, which have all deployed response and rescue specialists to Turkey and Syria, including experts in hazardous chemical materials, as well as specially trained dogs.

South Korea has earmarked $5 million in humanitarian aid for Turkey, as well as sending equipment and emergency responders.

Relief and response funding has also been pouring in from outside of the region, with the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Austria, and Spain also committing resources to support relief efforts in Turkey and Syria.