31 May 2023, Dr. Apichart Chinwanno, Assistant Secretary General for External Relations, together with senior management of Thai Red Cross Society handed over financial contribution of 53,378,275.23 Baht, donated by people and organizations in Thailand to humanitarian organizations assisting earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria. These donations were allocated and delivered to the two countries in accordance with donors’ earmarking.
The first donation amounting 25,939,137.62 Baht was transferred through the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara to Turkish Red Crescent Society. On this occasion, H.E. Mrs. Serap Ersoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Thailand represented the people of Türkiye in accepting and appreciating the spontaneous response of the Thai public. This amount does not include 1 million Baht emergency financial assistance sent earlier by Thai Red Cross Society to support Turkish Red Crescent Society operations on 21 February 2023.
The second donation amounting 28,439,137.62 Baht, was transferred to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)’s Emergency Appeal for Syria Earthquake. Ms. Kathryn Clarkson, Head of Country Cluster Delegation in Bangkok represented the IFRC on this occasion. This amount included 25,939,137.62 Baht from public donation, 1 million Baht from the Government of Thailand, 500,000 Baht from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, and 1 million Baht from Thai Red Cross Society.
The massive earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023. People living in south and southeast Türkiye and northern Syria were heavily affected. Turkish Red Crescent Society, Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and IFRC continue to provide humanitarian assistance and recovery operations in the disaster areas of the two countries.
