RM20 million humanitarian aid given to Turkey and Syria so far

Malaysia has contributed RM20 million in humanitarian aid to help the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

He said the contribution included US$1 million each from the Malaysian government and the sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, with the remaining donations from various parties, including local companies.

"For the search and rescue mission, we have sent two Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Teams (SMART) with another team, including the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), to leave tonight," he said during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.

He was responding to Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar) who wanted to know the form of aid provided by the government to help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

On the cost of sending the SMART teams, Anwar said their flight expenses were fully borne by the Turkish airline, with the government spending only about RM4 million for the purpose.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and Syria on Feb 6. 

As of yesterday, it was reported that 31,643 people were killed and 106,428 injured in the earthquake in Turkey, while in Syria, a total of 5,329 people died and 14,500 people were injured.

Anwar said he was considering going to Turkey tonight to give moral support to the country's leader.

When asked about Malaysia's aid to Syria, Anwar said Malaysia would send funds and medical equipment, as well as equipment from the ATM for the construction of a field hospital.