Vietnam to send $200,000 to Turkey, Syria as earthquake aid

In a letter sent to the presidents of Turkey and Syria on Tuesday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam would continue to provide other forms of support for the two earthquake-stricken countries.

Vietnam has already sent two groups of personnel to Turkey for humanitarian aid. The first group of 24 rescuers and medical workers from police units departed Hanoi’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.

Devastating earthquakes on February 6 have killed more than 37,000 people in Turkey and Syria as of Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Nearly 9 million people in Syria were affected by the disaster and the United Nations said humanitarian agencies will need $397.6 million to respond to "the most pressing humanitarian needs" over the next three months.