Seoul Archdiocese’s overseas aid arm will send emergency relief funds to flood-hit Thailand and earthquake-hit Turkey, it said yesterday.

Father Joseph Kim Yong-tae, director of the One-Body One-Spirit Movement (OBOS), said it will deliver US$ 25,000 to each country to help people suffering from the flooding and earthquake.

Francis Kim Dae-min, head of the international cooperation department of OBOS, said the funds will be used for purchasing relief equipment, reconstructing houses and supporting medical services.

OBOS will decide the delivery date and specific supporting plans after discussing with Caritas International (CI), said Kim.

“We have been observing the situations,” he added.

He explained that Turkey’s government had refused relief aids from other countries or groups in making an effort to solve the situation by itself, while Caritas in Thailand had been helping with relief efforts.

But, as the situation got worse, they asked for support to CI, then OBOS decided to help them by providing emergency funds through CI.

Much of central Thailand was flooded and around 400 have died after a heavy rainy season in Thailand.

The earthquake of magnitude 7.2 on the Richter Scale which hit southeastern Turkey on 23 October killed 601 people and injured 4,152 so far.

OBOS also said that from today, it has started a donation campaign for the two countries.