China Offers Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Rp66.9 Billion To Syria

JAKARTA - China will offer emergency humanitarian assistance of 30 million yuan (Rp66,912,556,740) for the earthquake-hit Syria, said its foreign ministry spokesman, Mao Ning, at a regular press conference on Wednesday.

An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale centered in Turkey, was also felt until Syria. The death toll continues to grow while it has reached around 9,600 people in Turkey and Syria.

Mao said some of the emergency aid would be used for cash and much-needed aid supplies, adding that China would accelerate existing food aid projects.

Previously, China had committed to providing the first phase of emergency assistance of 40 million yuan (Rp. 89.216.742.320) to Turkey.

Separately, state broadcaster CCTV reported that the earthquake rescue team sent by China arrived at Turkish Adana Airport on Wednesday morning. The team of 82 people carried 20 tons of supplies and medical equipment, other rescue needs, and four SAR dogs.

The team will cooperate with local authorities, the Chinese Embassy in Turkey, the United Nations and other agencies on missions such as preparing temporary command posts for searches and evacuations, as well as providing medical assistance.

In addition, a civilian rescue team of at least 52 people, taken from provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Zhejiang, is heading to the earthquake-hit area in Turkey for rescue work, CCTV reports.