The government yesterday announced that it would make another monetary donation to Turkey to help the country cope with the aftermath of last month’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake.
The quake on Feb. 6 killed more than 57,300 people in Turkey and Syria.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Yui (俞大?) told a news conference in Taipei that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last month donated US$2 million to the Turkish government and non-governmental organizations for disaster relief.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Feb. 7 set up a separate dedicated account to collect donations until March 6, with the amount totaling NT$1.18 billion (US$38.66 million), Yui said.
The foreign ministry would soon allocate money from the health ministry fund for another donation to help the disaster relief effort in Turkey, Yui said.
The latest donation would include US$1.17 million for the Ankara City Government to buy trucks to deliver ready-to-eat food to people in earthquake-affected areas, he said.
Another US$5 million would go to the Turkish Red Crescent Society for mobile kitchens, mobile laundries and mobile shower trailers, he said.
Another US$5 million is to be given to the Turkish national association for disabilities, while US$9 million would go to the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants, he added.
Turkish Representative to Taiwan Muhammed Berdibek expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by Taiwanese following the earthquake.
The assistance not only included money , but also donations of emergency supplies and a search-and-rescue team, Berdibek told the news conference.
The cash would help his government provide temporary shelters and buildings for people to recover from the tragedy, he said.
“I really appreciate the people of Taiwan,” he said. “Your goodwill and friendship will remain in our hearts forever.”
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