Taiwan generates $38M through public fundraising for earthquake victims in Türkiye

ANKARA (AA) – Taiwan has raised 1.17 billion New Taiwan dollars, or approximately $38.25 million, through public fundraising for the victims of Türkiye's earthquake-hit southern regions, local media reported on Tuesday.

The country's Ministry of Health and Welfare said in a statement that the fundraising drive, which began the day after the devastating twin earthquakes in Türkiye on Feb. 6, ended late Monday evening, with more than 205,000 people donated 1.17 billion New Taiwan dollars (about $38.25 million) through dedicated bank accounts, Central News Agency reported.

The figures were recorded as of 5:00 p.m. local time on March 6, according to the ministry, which also stated that donations received from 5:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. would be calculated and announced at a later time.

On Feb. 7, the ministry set up dedicated bank accounts to which people could make cash donations through kiosks at convenience store branches, ATMs, or in person at banks or post offices, the news agency said.

"Beyond raising money to help the earthquake's victims, Taiwan also dispatched a 130-strong search and rescue team and five rescue dogs to Türkiye from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12, during which they rescued two people, including one who later died in a hospital," it added.

More than 46,100 people were killed in two strong earthquakes that also affected approximately 13.5 million people in 11 provinces, including Hatay, Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakir, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Osmaniye, Sanliurfa, and Elazig.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid