HK Red Cross Appeals For Further Earthquake Donations

The Hong Kong Red Cross is appealing for ongoing donations to help people in Turkey and Syria, two weeks after devastating earthquakes which killed more than 46,000 in the two countries.

While Turkey has now ended rescue efforts in all provinces, except those hit hardest, the Red Cross still has teams on the ground, working in conjunction with the Turkish Red Crescent Society to help the millions of people left homeless.

Karen Poon, the head of the SAR's International and Relief Service, told RTHK that aftershocks and the cold weather are both complicating relief work.

"There are still many people living outdoors," she said. "On the Syrian side, there are a lot of refugees living in unsafe, temporary tents and this is worrying. We are mobilising all our support to the area to help the people still living under cold weather.

"Disease outbreaks are a major worry. In Syria, there was already a cholera outbreak before the earthquake, so we're focusing on providing hygiene materials and medical support."

In terms of fundraising, Poon said the Hong Kong Red Cross had mobilised HK$8m in funds to support people in need, but that more cash donations were needed.

"There's a need for essential items right now, but in the long run, recovery will take years, especially in Syria," she said. "There's a lot of damage to infrastructure and there is a lot of work to allow life to return to normal.