Taiwanese businessmen donate aid to Syrians in Turkey

KILIS, Turkey

Taiwanese business people have donated winter clothes and shoes to be delivered to around 10,000 Syrian and Turkish families in need in Turkey's southern Kilis province near the border with Syria.

As part of a humanitarian aid campaign launched by STUF United Fund, World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC), Turkish Red Crescent and Kilis Municipality, the first batch of winter jackets and raincoats, as well as trousers and boots were delivered Friday.

"It is a small step but a good start in the name of the Taiwanese government," said Taiwan's Ambassador to Turkey, Yaser Tai-hsiang Cheng during the delivery, adding Taiwan would continue to cooperate with Turkey on such aid campaigns.

Accompanying Cheng were STUF United Fund CEO Jeff Yao, Kilis Mayor Hasan Kara, and Taiwanese business people.

This year, a total of 30,000 winter jackets will be donated to refugee children in Jordan, Turkey, and Greece; 10,000 jackets for each country, according to a joint statement by STUF United Fund and WTCC.

As of Monday, Kilis Municipality teams will continue delivering aid to people in need across the province.

*Reporting by Ridvan Korkulutas; Writing by Ayse Humeyra Atilgan