BEIJING: China will offer emergency humanitarian aid of 30 million yuan (US$4.4mil or RM18.9mil) to earthquake-hit Syria, its foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular news briefing yesterday.
The death toll of the devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has jumped to more than 11,000.
Mao said US$2mil of the emergency aid would be used for cash and urgently needed relief supplies, adding that China would speed up existing food aid projects.
China has already committed to give a first tranche of 40 million yuan in emergency aid to Turkiye.
An earthquake rescue team sent by China arrived at Turkiye’s Adana Airport early yesterday, state broadcaster CCTV said.
The 82-strong team brought 20 tonnes of medical and other rescue supplies and equipment, as well as four search-and-rescue dogs, CCTV added.
The team will co-operate with local authorities, China’s embassy in Turkiye, the United Nations and other agencies on missions such as setting up a temporary command, search and efforts, and providing medical aid, it said.
In addition, civil society rescue teams numbering at least 52, drawn from provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Zhejiang, are heading to earthquake-hit areas in Turkiye for rescue work, CCTV reported. — Reuters
