DANISH shipping giant Maersk is donating 1,000 shipping containers to Turkey to help those in need affected by the massive earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey on February 6, reports Rotterdam's Offshore Energy.
The company said that the move follows close contact with the State Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkey.
Maersk noted that containers are already being converted into container houses and that the company plans to be donating more in the coming weeks.
"We are looking to furnish around 1,000 into houses and others we are providing directly - all in accordance with the needs in the impacted areas. Additionally, there are other ongoing initiatives where we allow the use of our containers for shipment of aid and humanitarian goods," the company said.
In response, other shipping companies are contributing, including NYK and "K" Line that are donating over JPY13 million (US$984,000) to charities helping the earthquake victims.
The latest one to join the initiative is Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), which is donating JPY5 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society and US$38,000 to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) to provide emergency assistance to the victims of the earthquake. In addition, since the damages are not limited to Turkey but also extend to northern Syria, MOL said it would also donate to the Japanese Red Cross Society so assistance can be reached to people in all affected areas.
Israeli flag carrier Zim containers loaded with humanitarian aid, baby food and other emergency rations, the company said.
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