The Government of Kuwait has contributed US$ 250,000 to UNDP to finance relief operations in Van province, eastern Turkey, a region that was struck by two earthquakes in October and November last year.
Ankara — The money, part of a wider international emergency response to the earthquakes, will be used as part of UNDP’s planned recovery activities in Van, following a request for assistance from the Turkish Government.
UNDP plans to help affected people in the province by establishing a community centre that will provide counseling for women. The money will also be used to undertake a socio-economic assessment of affected women to define support for future possible income generating activities, as well as to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to engage women in the recovery process.
Following a call from the Turkish Government, UN agencies based in the country have been providing emergency assistance to earthquake survivors in Van since the disaster occurred in October.
Support so far has included the provision of socio-psychological assistance, emergency shelter, and prefabricated containers to be used as schools and recreational facilities for children.
Notes to editors: A list of humanitarian assistance provided by international community to Van Governorate for the victims of the Earthquake as of 20 December 2011 (reported by various sources to the UN Resident Coordination Office in Turkey) can be found on: http://www.un.org.tr/int.html
Contact Information
UNDP New York
Stanislav Saling
Communications Specialist
Tel: + 1 212 906 5296
stanislav.saling@undp.org