Japan sends construction & engineering experts to quake-hit Turkey

Japan has sent construction and engineering experts to Turkey to help rebuild communities and infrastructure damaged by powerful earthquakes last month.

The magnitude 7.8 quake on February 6 and ensuing powerful tremors have left more than 50,000 people dead in Turkey and neighboring Syria.

In Turkey, about 200,000 houses and buildings have been severely damaged.

A send-off ceremony for the team was held at Narita Airport near Tokyo on Monday night before their departure.

The team is made up of 11 experts from the land ministry, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA, and others.

They are expected to assess damage to buildings and lifeline infrastructure, as well as give technical advice to help local authorities in their reconstruction efforts.

Turkish Ambassador to Japan Korkut Gungen said the people of Turkey have high expectations for the team, as they are about to take the first steps toward recovery from the disaster.

Team leader Odawara Yuichi of the land ministry said he and his specialists want to carry out their surveys thoroughly.

The team plans to begin to work in Turkey on Tuesday.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230307_14/