Viet Nam presents 25 tons of relief aid to quake-torn Turkey

The aid, including packed rations, rice, milk, medical supplies, and many other essentials, was handed over to the Turkish side at the Hatay stadium in Antakya city, the capital of Hatay province.

Addressing the handover ceremony, Maj. Gen. Pham Van Ty, Deputy Chief of the Standing Office of the National Committee for Incident and Natural Disaster Response, Search and Rescue said the relief aid demonstrates the sympathies from the Vietnamese people and Ministry of National Defence to the Turkish people over the huge human and property losses they are suffering from the recent devastating earthquakes.

He also expressed his hope that Turkey can manage to address the earthquake consequences soon.

On behalf of the Turkish side, Ambassador Hakan Cakil appreciated the VPA’s assistance which would help Turkish people overcome difficulties and losses caused by the earthquake.

Particularly, the medical supplies will be quickly transported to local hospitals and health facilities.

Viet Nam has sent two groups of personnel to Turkey for humanitarian aid. The first group of 24 rescuers and medical workers from police units departed Ha Noi’s Noi Bai Airport on February 9, while the second group of 76 soldiers departed on February 12, bringing with them 10 tons of rations to Turkey.

President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan thanked the Vietnamese forces for their timely support and tireless efforts in search and rescue operations following the huge earthquake.

On February 14, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh wrote to the Presidents of Turkey and Syria to inform that Viet Nam would support these two countries with US$100,000 each to resolve consequences of devastating earthquakes that have killed over 41,000 people.

He also promised Viet Nam would continue to provide other forms of support for the two earthquake-stricken countries./.