News

The aid team of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has been welcomed in disaster-prone Macedonia where heavy rain killed at least 20 people and directly affected hundreds of others over the last week.

As part of the relief activities, the Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality sent an aid team consisting of 32 personnel, 14 cars, a total of 6 water drain vehicle, 1 fire maintenance truck, 1 Combined Sewer Cleaner Truck, 1 mobile buffet,  a total of 5 Pressure Washing Vehicles with 5 tone.

Three-and-a-half inches (93mm) of rain fell in Skopje in the storm - more than the average for the whole of August. The water level reached as high as five feet (1.5 metres) in some of the affected areas, reports said.

Many homes remain flooded and without electricity; some are reported to have collapsed.

The authorities have declared a crisis situation in Skopje and Tetovo for the next 15 days, the Macedonian Information Agency said.

Also, the aid sent by the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), Turkish Red Crescent and the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) included food, clothes, and cleaning supplies.