Rescuers search for victims in Kahramanmaras province on February 7. (Photo: Getty Images)

He told reporters in Kahramanmaras province, near the epicenter, where two massive quakes hit within hours, that the government intends to build housing within one year for those left homeless.

The Syrian government has submitted an official request to the EU for emergency assistance, the EU’s commissioner for crisis management says.  Commissioner Janez Lenarcic told reporters the European Commission is "encouraging" EU members to respond to the request.  After Turkey activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 19 EU members plus Albania and Montenegro offered teams to coordinate with the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre and the Turkish authorities.

Israeli rescue teams will establish a field hospital for earthquake victims, which will begin operation in about 10 days. China will send emergency humanitarian aid of 4.4 million USD to earthquake-hit Syria. A team, comprised of 82 members, has already brought 20 tons of medical and other supplies and rescue equipment. The Malaysian government will send 2 million USD to Turkey and Syria to help the victims. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australia will send a search-and-rescue team of 72 people to Turkey this weekend and will provide an initial 7 million USD in aid to Turkey and Syria.

ASEAN foreign ministers issued a statement affirming ASEAN’s solidarity with the governments and people of Turkey and Syria and its readiness to extend any assistance necessary to the relief efforts.

As of Thursday, the number of victims of the disaster had reached 15,400, 12,400 in Turkey and 3,000 in Syria. This number could double in a worst case scenario.