Both countries were severely affected by the earthquakes and the aftershocks in southern Turkey and northern Syria.Continue reading
The Hungarian government has offered to finance the reconstruction of an Orthodox church and a cultural center, as well as to participate in the reconstruction of a destroyed hospital, in addition to the assistance already provided following the devastating earthquakes, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced in Brussels on Monday.
Speaking at an international donors’ conference to help the victims of the February earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the minister said that Hungary would provide the necessary funds for the reconstruction of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Adiyaman.
In addition, he said:
the government will finance the rebuilding of a cultural center in Osmaniye, where there is a permanent exhibition of one of the greatest Hungarian music composers, Béla Bartók, and Hungary is also participating in the reconstruction of a hospital chosen by local authorities.
Hungary is one of the few countries that immediately after the earthquakes provided aid not only to Turkey, but also to Syria. In this context, Péter Szijjártó said that one million dollars had been earmarked for programs of Syrian Christian churches to help people made homeless by the natural disaster and to stabilize the situation.
The foreign minister stressed that Hungary immediately sent rescue teams to Turkey after the February earthquakes. A total of 167 Hungarian experts with 29 rescue dogs arrived on the scene and managed to save the lives of 35 people. Hungary then delivered 120 tons of medical equipment to support the Turkish healthcare system, he added. Hungarian helpers arrived in Syria as well after the disaster, with the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service having installed three mobile rescue stations. Furthermore, a Syrian-Hungarian rescue team was working day and night to rescue people from the rubble.
Finally, Szijjártó concluded his speech at the conference by expressing his hope for the success of the reconstruction in Turkey, which he said was a good prospect given Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his commitment.
Featured photo via Facebook/Magyar Református Szeretetszolgálat