Vice Foreign Minister Alexander Tah-ray Yui announced another donation of US$20 million to Türkiye March 22 to assist the country with post-earthquake reconstruction, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Yui made the remarks at a news conference in Taipei City, which was attended by Rep. Muhammed Berdibek of the Turkish Trade Office in Taipei. At the event, the vice foreign minister said that the dedicated account set up by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in response to the earthquake received NT$1.18 billion (US$38.66 million) in private donations.
The first donation of US$20 million, which included US$2 million in government funds, was announced Feb. 18. The second donation will be allocated to four main entities.
Approximately US$1 million has been set aside for the government of Ankara to purchase mobile kitchens to prepare meals for people in disaster-stricken areas. The remainder is bound for the Turkish Red Crescent, US$5 million; the Turkish Confederation of the Persons with Disabilities, US$5 million; and the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants, US$9 million.
In response, Berdibek thanked the government and people of Taiwan for their compassion and support. Goodwill transcends language barriers and brings people together, he said, adding that the people of Türkiye will always remember the friendship and kindness. (SFC-E)
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