Seoul, March 7. South Korea will provide more than $10 million to help build temporary homes in Turkey for survivors of the devastating earthquakes that hit the Syrian border last month.
The public-private contribution is for the Turkish government’s project for people displaced by the natural disaster, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said today, saying he plans to “actively support everything from its creation to the functioning” of the plan.
Yoon made the announcement during a Tuesday lunch with rescue workers sent by South Korea shortly after the February 6 earthquakes to help with search and rescue efforts, which he praised for their “spirit of solidarity with the victims, according to statements collected by the Yonhap News Agency.
South Korea sent 142 rescuers, including military personnel, non-governmental organization workers and government officials to help with earthquake relief.
The team helped rescue eight people from the rubble and then assisted with reconstruction efforts.
Yoon explained that the Korea Shipowners Association has decided to provide 250 shipping containers that will serve as temporary shelters for the affected people, and the government will help move them to Turkey as soon as possible in March and April.
“Our government will continue to support Turkey’s recovery and reconstruction in accordance with your dedication,” the South Korean president added.
Before lunch, Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon-hee, met separately with the teams of four rescue dogs that took part in the search operations in Turkey.
The dogs, named Tobaek, Tori, Tina and Haetae, helped save three living people and twelve bodies.
Devastating earthquakes in early February, followed by other notable quakes later, killed nearly 46,000 people, according to the latest official count from Turkish authorities, and at least 3,700 in Syria, while thousands of people are always displaced. EFE
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