PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian Red Cross has donated US $100,000 to support the Turkish Red Crescent Society’s humanitarian operations through the Turkish Embassy in Cambodia.

The donation was handed over by the Secretary-General of the Cambodian Red Cross, Pum Chantinie, to the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Cambodia, Ulkü Kocaefe, on Monday afternoon, 13 February 2023, while visiting the Embassy to extend condolences to the victims of the recent earthquake that struck on 6 February.

On this sad occasion, the Secretary-General also shared a condolence letter sent by the President of the Cambodian Red Cross, First Lady Bun Rany Hun Sen.

The letter from the First Lady read, "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy of the loss of life and the devastation caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southern Turkey and Syria on 6 February 2023."

"On behalf of the Cambodian Red Cross and on my own behalf, I would like to send my deepest condolences and sympathy to the [Turkish] Ambassador [and] to those who lost their loved ones and the families of the victims who are now screaming for help and support, both spiritually and technically, during such difficult circumstances," the First Lady continued.

She affirmed that in the spirit of solidarity and with the deepest sympathy for the Turkish people and government, the Cambodian Red Cross would like to donate US $100,000 to support humanitarian operations of the Turkish Red Crescent Society through the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Cambodia.

"I join [the Ambassador] in calling for more assistance and praying for the immediate relief and rehabilitation of the devastated area and the well-being of the Turkish people," she stated.