BEIJING, Feb 8 (Reuters) – China will offer 30 million yuan ($4.4 million) of emergency humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit Syria, its foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning told a regular news briefing on Wednesday.
The death toll from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria has risen to more than 8,700. Read more
Mao said the $2 million in emergency aid would be used for cash and immediate relief supplies, adding that China would speed up existing food aid projects.
China has already committed the first tranche of 40 million yuan in emergency aid to Turkey.
State broadcaster CCTV said an earthquake rescue team sent by China arrived at Turkey’s Adana airport early Wednesday.
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.
The team will cooperate with local authorities, the Embassy of China in Turkey, the United Nations and other agencies in missions such as setting up a temporary command, search and rescue efforts and providing medical assistance.
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In addition, civil society rescue teams numbering at least 52 from provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Zhejiang are heading to quake-hit areas in Turkey for rescue work, CCTV reported.
($1=6.7823 Chinese Yuan Renminbi)
Reporting by Ella Kao and Liz Lee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Clarence Fernandez
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