ERBIL (Kurdistan Chronicle) — The Kurdistan Region has joined the international community to help Turkey respond to the devastating earthquake which jolted central and south of the country on Monday. 

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said in an online statement that he had instructed government bodies and the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) to collaborate with the Red Crescent and assist in rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria. 

Later the day, three rescue teams backed by 25 ambulances were seen crossing the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing where KRG interior and health ministers reaffirmed Erbil’s commitment to the global humanitarian efforts. 

As of Tuesday, February 7th, the death toll from the 7.8 earthquake in Turkey stands at 3,432, with more than 21,000 people injured. 

Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD) said over 8,000 people are still missing, believed to have been under the rubbles of 5,775 collapsed buildings across the most severely affected cities in central and south of Turkey. 

A total of 74 countries have so far delivered humanitarian aids and rescue assistance to help Turkey with the massive task.