Manama, February 18 (BNA): Turkey‘s Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Esin Chakil, expressed her deep thanks and deep gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Majesty’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs. His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the people of Bahrain for their support and solidarity with Turkey in dealing with the effects of the earthquake.
On behalf of the Republic of Turkey, I sincerely thank the leadership and people of Bahrain. “Turkey will never forget this solidarity,” Ambassador Çakıl told Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
“In the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, Bahrain’s immediate response was clear evidence of the strong friendship between Turkey and Bahrain,” she said.
The ambassador praised the directives given by His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, as well as the humanitarian approach pursued by Bahrain, which won the hearts and minds of the Turkish nation.
“I would like to express our gratitude to the Commander of the Royal Guard, Major General Staff HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is leading the search and rescue operation, Sawaed Al Ghaith,” she said.
“Under the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, a search and rescue team of 35 members of the Bahrain Defense Force has been dispatched to Hatay,” it said.
Ambassador Chakil paid tribute to the heroes of the Bahrain Defense Force for saving lives under the rubble 176 hours after the earthquake.
She also commended the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) which coordinated Bahrain’s first humanitarian aid to Turkey.
“We commend the efforts of the Royal Humanitarian Foundation to provide all support to the embassy to cooperate in delivering urgent aid in the earthquake areas,” the ambassador said.
More than $3.7 million was raised during the three-hour “Day of Solidarity” telecast on Bahrain TV on Friday evening.
Bahrain TV organized the event in cooperation with the Royal Humanitarian Foundation as part of a national campaign to support earthquake victims.