ANKARA: A truck convoy from Pakistan carrying aid for quake victims arrived in Turkey over the weekend, Pakistan’s embassy in Ankara said.
“A 21-truck convoy carrying 275-ton relief assistance goods from Pakistan arrived at Malatya, one of worst hit cities by earthquake, this afternoon,” said the embassy in a statement, adding the trucks are mainly carrying winter tents, blankets and other essential relief goods.
The embassy said that an air bridge was established between the two countries when the twin earthquakes hit southern Turkey on February 6.
“As of now, 20 flights have brought relief assistance goods to Turkey. A ship carrying earthquake relief goods is also scheduled to leave Pakistan for Turkey soon,” it added.
The convoy was received by Mataya’s deputy mayor Hakan Ezgi and Pakistan’s Deputy Ambassador Abbas Sarwar Qureshi and other officials.
“Pakistan and Turkey have a glorious history of supporting each other under all circumstances. As per the wishes of the Prime Minister and people of Pakistan, relief assistance shall keep coming from Pakistan to brotherly Turkey till complete recovery and rehabilitation,” said Qureshi.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week said his country will dispatch 100,000 winter tents to Turkey by the end of this month.
According to the latest official figures, over 44,218 people were killed in the powerful earthquakes in southern Turkey.
