Turkey's AFAD Allocates US$229,304 To Flood Victims For Post Recovery Period

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- The Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has allocated up to US$229,304 (RM850,000) to assist Malaysians affected by the floods in mid December last year and January this year. (US$1 = RM3.70) Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia, Başak Türkoğlu said that the amount, channelled through the Post Flood Recovery Unit under the Prime Minister's Department was used to buy 1,650 units of beds and mattresses for the flood victims, especially those in Kelantan. Speaking at a press conference held at her residence here Monday, the ambassador said that AFAD decided to offer its assistance during the "post recovery" period. "We agree to provide bed frames and mattresses for people affected by the floods, which will be delivered within six weeks," she said, adding that the AFAD team visited some of the flood areas in Kelantan especially Kuala Krai, Kota Baharu and Manik Urai on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Head of Post Flood Recovery Unit, Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Zaki Ansore Mohd Yusof said that Malaysia and AFAD would continue to cooperate to share experience in managing crisis. For example he noted that AFAD has relief centres, which were spread throughout Turkey, as well as an emergency plan and good coordination which Malaysia could learn from. He also said that the government was facilitating the meeting point between AFAD and the suppliers of beds and mattresses and would certify their delivery within the time frame. Heavy seasonal rains and strong winds had caused extensive flooding at various states in Malaysia, including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak in mid-December last year. The floods are reportedly the worst in three decades with 23 confirmed dead, tens of thousands displaced from their homes, and thousands of houses damaged. AFAD is the sole authorised government organisation on Disaster and Emergency Management in Turkey and has performed international aid operations besides ongoing humanitarian aid operations in Syria, Iraq, Palestine and Somalia. -- BERNAMA