PHOTO GALLERY: Czech rescuers arrive in Turkey to help after the earthquake

Czechia has been stepping up to help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. A Czech urban search and rescue (USAR) squad made up of firefighters left for Turkey to assist with the recovery efforts just hours after the Feb. 6 earthquake occurred. The Czech Red Cross and People in Need (Člověk v tísni) are raising funds to help survivors.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake’s death toll has risen to over 8,000 people in Turkey and Syria. Rescuers are racing to find people in the rubble as temperatures start to drop.

The Czech USAR team, which also includes dog handlers from the Prague police, is working together with an Algerian team. Shortly after they arrived they searched a collapsed hotel and other areas to try to find trapped people.

People in Need is collecting funds on the Darujte platform or by direct transfer. In just two days, they collected CZK 30 million from 15,000 donors.

The Czech Red Cross is also collecting funds and has been in touch with the Turkish and Syrian branches of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

According to the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, 20 EU countries plus Albania and Montenegro have offered 29 search and rescue and five emergency medical teams. Some 1,485 rescuers and 100 search dogs are heading to or have arrived in Turkey.