The Australian Government has announced Tuesday the delivery of ten million dollars (about 9.3 million euros) in humanitarian aid to those affected by Monday’s earthquakes in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria, which have left more than 4,800 dead in both countries.
«The Australian Government will provide an initial $10 million in humanitarian aid to those affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria,» said a statement posted on the Australian Foreign Ministry’s website.
It has thus detailed that it will deliver seven million dollars (about 6.5 million euros) to Turkey, with four million (about 3.7 million euros) channeled through the Red Cross and Red Crescent for the purchase of «food and materials such as tents and sheets to help the injured and evacuees.» «Another three million dollars (about 2.8 million euros) will be allocated when the needs are clearer,» he added.
The Australian Foreign Ministry has noted that the other three million dollars will be given to Syria through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for «immediate needs,» including «shelter, clean water and hygiene, with a focus on women and girls.»
«Australia’s aid will go to those most in need. We extend Australia’s deepest sympathies to families and communities who have lost loved ones and those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected,» he reiterated.
The earthquake has killed more than 3,380 people in Turkey, about 770 in areas of Syria controlled by the government of Bashar al-Assad and another 780 in rebel-held areas of Idlib and Aleppo provinces (northwest), according to various balances published during the last hours.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
