EU chief announces donor conference for Turkey, Syria

The European Union is planning to host a donor conference in March to collect international aid for Turkey and Syria to help the countries deal with the devastating aftermath of the earthquakes, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced on Twitter.

"We are now racing against the clock to save lives together. Soon we will provide relief aid, together," von der Leyen said.

The EU chief said the conference would be held early next month in Brussels in coordination with Turkish authorities "to mobilise funds from the international community in support for the people" of both countries."

But we are already sending now a message to the people of Turkiye and Syria: the EU will support your communities. Because no one should be left alone when a tragedy like this hits a people”, von der Leyen said in a statement.