Turkey, Syria earthquake: Dalai Lama expresses sadness on loss of life, offers his sympathy and support

DHARAMSALA, 8 Feb: The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed sadness at the extensive loss of life and many injuries caused by the devastating earthquakes that have struck Turkey and Syria.

“I offer my condolences to those families who have lost loved ones and pray for all those affected by this tragedy,” the Dalai Lama has said in a missive addressed to the Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

The Tibetan spiritual leader has commended the UN-coordinated health teams, NGOs and countries from across the world for the rescue and relief efforts underway. 

“At the same time, it is heartening to know that in addition to the UN coordinated health teams, NGOs and many countries from around the world are sending support to help the rescue and relief efforts in the quake zones,” the Dalai Lama wrote.

As a token of solidarity with the people of Turkey and Syria affected by this tragedy, the octogenarian Tibetan leader has asked the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama to donate towards the rescue and relief efforts.

According to CNN, nearly 8,000 people have now been confirmed dead and some 40,000 others injured following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, One of the most powerful earthquakes to hit the region in a century.  

The World Health Organization estimates that up to 23 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquake.