On any given day there are wars being waged around the world.
On any given day nature can strike as if at war with humanity and our world.
The reaction of people to the latter would lead you to believe that war is impossible.
Of course, that is not the case.
Still, we take comfort in the way that people respond to the suffering of other people, regardless of whether that suffering is caused by people or nature.
Such is the case now with the worldwide response to the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, a country which has been suffering a civil war for years and needs a disaster such as this like it would the proverbial hole in the head.
The world is responding, even as the picture of devastation becomes worse by the hour.
The United States is responding. Ireland is responding.
There was this release from the White House: "President Joseph R. Biden spoke this afternoon with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye. He reaffirmed the readiness of the United States to provide any and all needed assistance to our NATO Ally Türkiye in response to this tragedy.
"President Biden expressed condolences on behalf of the American people to those who were injured or lost loved ones in the earthquakes. He noted that U.S. teams are deploying quickly to support Turkish search and rescue efforts and coordinate other assistance that may be required by people affected by the earthquakes, including health services or basic relief items."
This statement actually reminds us of the grim reality of war. Getting U.S. aid into Turkey is not so difficult as getting aid into Syria, the government of which is anything but an ally.
Ireland's response has been swift. An initial aid package has been put together and Ireland, in the days ahead, will be working with its European Union partners to bring relief to the stricken.
Stated Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheál Martin: "The people of Ireland have been shocked by the loss of life in Türkiye and Syria as a result of the devastating earthquakes this morning. Thousands have already lost their lives and it is feared the numbers will only increase in the days ahead. In response, I have made an initial allocation of €2 million to the IFRC and the UN to address the urgent and immediate humanitarian needs of those affected in Türkiye and Syria.
‘‘The people of Northwest Syria already face enormous challenges as a result of conflict and displacement. Ireland has consistently supported the Syria refugee response over many years, contributing €23 million annually in support of Syrian refugees and host countries across the region. These communities in NW Syria need our support now more than ever”
In response to the disaster, the Irish government's Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Seán Fleming, expressed his concern for people across the region.
He said: “The unfolding devastation in Türkiye and Northwest Syria, where people’s lives have already been severely affected by conflict and displacement, will place extraordinary pressure on the humanitarian response in both countries. Funding from Ireland will support them to provide assistance to the most vulnerable. These earthquakes have destroyed hundreds of homes and devastated thousands of lives. It is imperative that we act quickly with direct funding and through the EU to provide the urgent help needed”
The Irish government's Department of Foreign Affairs, according to its website, "continues to monitor the situation closely through our Embassies in Ankara and Cairo and is in close contact with United Nations and aid agency representatives on their response as the extent of the devastation and level of need becomes clearer."
Clearly the situation, already bad, will be getting worse. Cold and wet weather is hampering rescue operations in Turkey, while war in Syria is a significant obstacle to bringing aid to the stricken. There are government held areas affected, and rebel ones too.
But does it matter a whit when an earthquake of this magnitude strikes one and all?
The World Health Organization, in a preliminary estimate, has stated that as many as 23 million people are in the quake zone, while the death toll could eventually exceed 20,000.
This is a disaster on a massive scale. By way of a response it will require the application of the better part of our collective humanity for a long time to come.
