ANKARA, Jan 11 (AFP) - Turkey announced Tuesday that it would increase aid earmarked for victims of the tidal wave tragedy in Asia to more than five million dollars.
"In light of the magnitude of the disaster and the devastation it has caused, the government has decided to increase its aid to the affected regions to five million dollars," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.
In addition, it said, two military transport planes would leave next week for Indonesia and Sri Lanka, bearing medical aid, foodstufs and water purification equipment worth some 500,000 dollars.
Turkey had previously sent 1.28 million dollars to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Maldives, Malaysia, Somalia and the Scheyselles soon after the disaster.
The Turkish Red Crescent has also collected 1.8 million dollars in a separate fund-raising campaign, the statement said.
Turkey says one national was killed in the tsunami disaster on December 26 and lists six others as still unaccounted for.
01/11/2005 13:17 GMT - AFP