Three tech behemoths, Google (GOOGL), Apple (AAPL), and Amazon (AMZN), said they have sent resources to help out tens of thousands of people in Turkey and Syria impacted by the earthquake on Feb. 6 as rescuers attempt to find survivors as the death toll rises to over 5,000 people.
Emergency aid has been sent globally to help out in rescue efforts and for the survivors of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Rescuers searched throughout the night in freezing temperatures the night of the earthquake for survivors under massive amounts of rubble from buildings that collapsed.
Humanitarian efforts pour into the area as the damage has been widespread.
Amazon plans to send items ranging from tents to baby food and medicine to Turkey and the surrounding region, CEO Andy Jassy tweeted.
"Tragic news out of Turkey and the surrounding region,"he said. "We’re activating Amazon’s logistics and delivery network to quickly get donated relief items such as blankets, tents, heaters, food, diapers, baby food & medicine to those in need."
Shipments of the donations of supplies began on Tuesday, Amazon spokesman Patrick Malone told TheStreet.
"The first truck of supplies has departed our facility in Istanbul ahead of schedule and is on its way to Hatay in the affected region," he said. "First responders are still in the rescue phase of operations, so we will not have a full needs assessment for relief items for a while."
Amazon said that due to the frigid temperatures in the country, they "expect blankets, tents, tarps, and heaters to be at the top of the list of needed items," Malone said.
"We’ll continue to meet needs as we receive requests for aid, so there is no set number of trucks, deliveries, or shipments, he said.
Amazon has a disaster relief unit called Disaster Relief by Amazon (DRbA), and will work with other local relief organizations such as Red Crescent, the company said in a blog post.
"We are preparing to ship donated relief items from our fulfillment center in Istanbul to affected areas," Amazon said.
Amazon PR Patrick Malone
“This immediate delivery is just the beginning of Amazon’s response,” said Abe Diaz, head of Amazon’s Disaster Relief program in a statement. “Over the coming days, we’ll work with local organizations and disaster-relief groups to identify on-the-ground needs and use Amazon’s logistics and delivery network to meet them.”
Amazon said it has nearly 2,000 employees in Turkey. The company does not have any facilities in the areas impacted by the earthquake.
"Our local leaders spent the day Monday ensuring that staff and their families were safe and accounted for," Amazon said in a statement. "We are committed to continue leveraging our infrastructure, inventory, and teams to provide the relief that’s needed."
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, tweeted on Feb. 6 that the tech company will offer "relief and recovery efforts."
"Thinking of everyone in Türkiye and Syria who are experiencing devastating loss after the earthquakes. We've activated SOS alerts to provide relevant emergency information to those impacted, and @Googleorg and Googlers will be supporting relief and recovery efforts," he said.
It is not known if Google has any employees in either country or the region. Google did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company would also participate in sending supplies to help out the impacted areas as cold temperatures remain a large factor, but did not provide details.
"Sending our thoughts and condolences to the people of Turkey, Syria, and anyone affected by the devastating earthquakes. Apple will be donating to relief and recovery efforts," he tweeted.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request on whether the iPhone and Macbook manufacturer had any employees in the region or what donations would be sent or when.
