Turkey has said it is ready to accept aid from countries that previously offered assistance despite an earlier announcement that the government is fully capable of coping with the aftermath of a major earthquake Todayszaman reported
Diplomatic sources said the Prime Minister's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) has notified the Turkish Foreign Ministry that they need tents, mobile homes and temporary shelters for the reconstruction that will follow search-and-rescue efforts, the state-run Anatolia news agency has reported.
The Foreign Ministry then requested that all countries and international organizations that had earlier offered to help, including Israel, send aid. Sources said officials are now waiting for responses from other countries and international organizations.
Israel was the first country to announce their intention to send aid, saying Defense Minister Ehud Barak had instructed the military to send what he called "special aid" to Turkey. A statement released by the Israeli Defense Ministry did not indicate what type of aid Israel is planning to send.