Late on Tuesday, Taiwan’s government announced it will increase the amount of financial aid for Turkey from US$200,000 to US$2 million. Turkey suffered a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Monday, causing over 9,000 confirmed casualties as of press time.
On Monday and Tuesday, Taiwan dispatched a total of 130 search and rescue workers to the disaster-stricken region close to Turkey’s southern border with Syria. But the initial group of 40 has had difficulties reaching the affected area due to damaged roads and transportation disruptions.
The government has also set up a dedicated bank account for those wishing to donate. Taiwan’s foreign ministry says it will respond to the rescue efforts’ needs and work with non-governmental organizations in providing local people with daily necessities.
Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said on Wednesday that Taiwanese rescue teams took commercial flights to Turkey to save precious time on coordinating charter flights crossing multiple airspaces.