Finland grants humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake in Turkey

Press release 291/2011
27 October 2011

By a decision made by Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will target EUR 500,000 of emergency aid to those suffering from the consequences of the earthquake in Turkey.

As a result of the earthquake that hit the province of Van on 23 October more than 2,200 buildings were destroyed and tens of thousands of people were left homeless. As the weather is getting colder, Turkey is in dire need of tents suited for winter use.

Finland will channel EUR 500,000 of assistance to Turkey through the Finnish Red Cross. The Finnish Red Cross will deploy to Turkey tents equipped even with stoves. The aid will be delivered as part of the response to the disaster appeal launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC, on 26 October.

Further information: Ulla-Maija Finskas, Head of Unit for Humanitarian Assistance, tel. +358 400 431 921, and Attaché Hanna Ojanperä, tel. +358 400 737 569