After a helicopter tour over some of the hardest-hit areas with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Blinken told reporters at the Incirlik Air Base, “We are here to stand with the people of Turkey and Syria,” according to the CNN.

On Feb. 6 at 04:17 am, a double disaster hit south Turkey and north Syria claiming thousands of lives in both countries, many more have lost their homes and remain homeless in both countries.”

Blinken stressed that the most important thing currently is “to get assistance to people who need it to get them through the winter.”

He said that relief efforts in Syria were “very, very challenging” however he pledged that they will do their best and make sure that “there’s absolutely no doubt that whatever sanctions against Syria do not affect the provision of humanitarian assistance.”

On the same day, the US diplomat also met representatives of the Syrian Civil Defense volunteer organization (White Helmets) in southern Turkey and stressed the US commitment to keep supporting the group and other organizations.

“The United States is proud to support you and other organizations providing life-saving aid in response to this tragedy,” he said in a tweet.

The White Helmets that operate in the opposition-controlled northwest Syria have been doing the heavy lifting in the search, rescue and recovery operations.

Reporter's code: 50101