Guatemala volcano victims helped by Turkish aid

ANKARA

A foundation linked to Turkey's religious authority handed out humanitarian aid to nearly 500 families in Guatemala after a volcanic eruption hit the country early this month, the foundation said on Thursday.

On June 3, Volcan de Fuego, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of the capital Guatemala City, erupted, killing at least 114 people, while more than 150 people are still missing.

In a statement, the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) said it handed out food and personal care packages in areas affected by the eruption.

Selahaddin Karabostan, the group’s Latin America representative, said there is still an ongoing need for humanitarian aid in the region.

According to UN High Commission for Refugees spokesman Andrej Mahecic, 12,784 people have been evacuated and 1.7 million people affected so far since the volcano’s first eruption.

Reporting by Ahmet Serhat Usul:Writing by Cansu Dikme

ANKARA

On June 3, Volcan de Fuego, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of the capital Guatemala City, erupted, killing at least 114 people, while more than 150 people are still missing.

In a statement, the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) said it handed out food and personal care packages in areas affected by the eruption.

Selahaddin Karabostan, the group’s Latin America representative, said there is still an ongoing need for humanitarian aid in the region.

According to UN High Commission for Refugees spokesman Andrej Mahecic, 12,784 people have been evacuated and 1.7 million people affected so far since the volcano’s first eruption.

Reporting by Ahmet Serhat Usul:Writing by Cansu Dikme