People transfer relief aid from China at Damascus international airport in Damascus, Syria, on Feb 13, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - China will actively support and help Türkiye and Syria to overcome the impacts of the recent devastating earthquakes as soon as possible, an official from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) said on Monday.

Zheng Yuandong, an official with the CIDCA, said that China has been actively providing support and assistance in the two countries since the massive earthquakes hit in Türkiye and Syria.

The first batches of relief supplies bound for Türkiye and financed by the Chinese government arrived in Istanbul on Feb 11 and 12, including urgently needed blankets and cotton tents, Zheng said.

The second shipment of supplies was dispatched from Beijing on Feb 13 and will help more than 10,000 earthquake victims, Zheng Yuandong added

More supplies provided by China, including electrocardiograph machines, ultrasonic diagnostics equipment, medical transport vehicles and manual hospital beds will be shipped this week. Rescue teams from China, including those dispatched by the Chinese government, have rescued over 10 survivors, he added.

READ MORE: China to provide emergency aid to quake-hit Türkiye, Syria

Zheng said the Chinese government is stepping up its humanitarian aid to Syria, and shipments will include 30,000 first-aid kits, 20,000 blankets, 10,000 cotton-padded jackets, 300 cotton tents, ventilators, anesthesia machines, oxygen generators and other materials. These items will be shipped as soon as possible.

"At the same time, the food aid project will be accelerated, with 220 tonnes of wheat already on its way to Syria and a further 3,000 tonnes of rice and wheat to be shipped in batches this month," Zheng said.

People transfer relief aid from China at Damascus international airport in Damascus, Syria, on Feb 13, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The first shipment of medical supplies from the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) to Syria has arrived in Damascus. The second shipment of supplies was dispatched from Beijing on Feb 13 and will help more than 10,000 earthquake victims, he added.

ALSO READ: Chinese rescuers rush to find more quake survivors

"China will work with the international community to actively support and help the people of Türkiye and Syria to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homelands as soon as possible," Zheng said.

Relief aid from China is unloaded at Damascus international airport in Damascus, Syria, on Feb 13, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

More aid planes arrive in Syria

A Chinese charter plane carrying humanitarian supplies left for quake-hit Syria early Tuesday morning, according to the CIDCA.

The plane carrying relief supplies have departed Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, and is expected to arrive in Damascus on Feb 15 local time, the CIDCA said.

The supplies included about 30,000 first-aid kits, 10,000 cotton-padded coats, 300 cotton tents, 20,000 blankets and 70,000 adult pull-up diapers, as well as emergency medical equipment such as ventilators, anesthesia machines, oxygen generators and LED surgical lights, according to the CIDCA.

Meanwhile, the second batch of relief aid from the RCSC arrived in Syria one day earlier by plane to provide emergency supplies for people affected by the earthquakes in the country.

"The humanitarian aid includes winter clothes, equipment, medication, and other stuff the Syrians need," Chinese Ambassador to Syria Shi Hongwei told reporters at the Damascus international airport.

READ MORE: China urges US to lift unilateral sanctions on Syria

The Chinese ambassador also called on the United States and the West to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria to facilitate the flow of relief aid to the quake-hit country.

"A major earthquake hit Syria and led to a major humanitarian catastrophe. We call on the international community, particularly the US and the West, to lift unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Syria," Shi said.