People in Taiwan have made more than 205,000 cash donations totaling NT$1.17 billion (US$38.25 million) to a relief fund for Turkey as of March 6, the last day the government-run fund was accepting donations.

The figures were recorded as of 5 p.m. on March 6, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) said Tuesday. Donations received from 5:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. were to be calculated and announced at a later time, it said.

Turkey was struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Feb. 6 and several powerful aftershocks in the following days. The death toll in Turkey was nearing 46,000 as of March 5.

The day after the initial massive earthquake, on Feb. 7, the MOHW set up dedicated bank accounts to which people could make cash donations through kiosks at convenience store branches, ATMs, or in person at banks or post offices.

Beyond raising money to help the earthquake’s victims, Taiwan also dispatched a 130-strong search and rescue team and five rescue dogs to Turkey from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12, during which they rescued two people, including one who later died in a hospital.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel