Australia will send an additional $8 million in aid to Türkiye and Syria, taking its total contribution to the earthquake-hit countries to $18 million.
In a statement, Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy said the funding would provide lifesaving assistance, focusing on "protecting those made most vulnerable" as well as supporting ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.
An additional $4.5 million will go to Türkiye, including $2 million to Australian NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.
In Syria, $3.5 million will be provided to the United Nations Population Fund to deliver maternal and child health services and protect women and girls without safe housing.
Australia has already committed $3 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
"We extend Australia's deepest sympathies to families and communities that have lost loved ones in the earthquakes, including families here in Australia," Mr Conroy's statement says.
The statement also acknowledges the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, where "years of conflict have driven millions from their homes".
In addition to the $8 million of earthquake aid, Australia will provide partner agencies $15 million to assist conflict-affected Syrians and their host communities in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
"Australia sends our deepest condolences to the people of Türkiye and Syria affected by the earthquake," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted on Wednesday, after signing signed a condolence book on behalf of all Australia at the embassy of Türkiye in Canberra.
Death toll now exceeds 41,000
A magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck south-east Türkiye and Syria on February 6, levelling buildings in both countries, with a magnitude-6.7 aftershock hitting about 10 minutes later.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said it was the strongest since December 1939, when a magnitude-7.8 tremor struck the north-east.
Another earthquake measuring magnitude-7.7 struck central Türkiye following the initial quake, with the Syrian capital of Damascus also hit.
Buildings, including a hospital, were reported collapsed in a wide area extending from Syria's cities of Aleppo and Hama to Diyarbakir in Türkiye, more than 330km to the north-east.
The death toll from the latest earthquake has now passed 41,000: Türkiye has reported 35,418 fatalities, while more than 5,814 have died in government- and rebel-held areas of Syria, according to a Reuters tally of reports from state media and a UN agency.
Mr Albanese announced an initial $10 in humanitarian assistance, to be distributed through Red Cross partners and humanitarian agencies, on February 7.
"Australia's assistance will target those in greatest need," he said.
On February 8, four Australians were confirmed missing, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) providing consular assistance to another 40 Australians and their families.
At least three Australians have been confirmed to have died in the earthquakes.
Mr Albanese also confirmed in parliament on February 8 that Australia would send a search-and-rescue team to Türkiye.
"These urban search-and-rescue specialists are highly trained to locate, deliver medical assistance to, and remove victims who have been trapped or impacted by a structural collapse," Mr Albanese said.
"Our National Emergency Management Agency, or NEMA, is working closely with Fire and Rescue New South Wales, DFAT and the ADF to coordinate the deployment as soon as possible, with an aim to have people on the ground by the end of this week."
The team of 72 Australians landed in Türkiye on Sunday, February 12, and it has already recovered two bodies. It remains hopeful of finding survivors.
"Part of the process is always to hope for the best," team leader Darryl Dunbar, who worked in Christchurch after the New Zealand city's own disaster, told AAP.
He said the chances of survival were helped by the cold weather, which could reduce the need for hydration.
But even if theirs is a recovery mission, the work remains vital and the locals appreciate their efforts.
"It brings a level of comfort to the community, and a sense of closure … [to have found] their family members," Mr Dunbar said
The team is accredited with the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group and is co-ordinating the mission in the southern Hatay province.
Antakya, where the team is based, was among the cities hardest hit by the country's worst earthquake in modern history.
ABC/wires
