Japan pledges $27 million for quake-hit Syria, Turkey
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Japan will provide around $27 million in emergency humanitarian aid for Syria and Turkey, two countries struck by catastrophic earthquakes on Feb. 6, senior government spokesman said on Friday.
In a regular news conference, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Japan will offer $16 million in emergency grant aid for the earthquake-affected people in Syria and Turkey to supply shelters, food and other daily necessities through international institutions.
On February, 6, a devastating earthquake hit southern Turkey and northwestern Syria, killing about 46.000 and injuring many more, in addition to devastating thousands of buildings under which thousands were trapped.
On Feb.20 at 20:04 local time, a new 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Syria and Turkey with Iskenderun being the epicenter and was felt in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Antakya in southern Turkey.
Tokyo will also give $4 million in support to the two nations through a Japanese nongovernmental organization, while contributing roughly $7 million to a trust fund that channels grant funding from the international community to Syria, according to Japan Today.
Matsuno said the Japanese government will continue humanitarian support to Syria and Turkey to assist reconstruction of the devastated regions.