By Reda Sardar
VAN, Turkey, Dec 3 (KUNA) -- A Kuwaiti town, named after a title given to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, provided shelter to thousands of Turkish citizens who suffered from the Van earthquake which hit the city in 2011.
Opened in 2014, the "humanitarian leader" town answered the calls of thousands of people who were affected by the devastating quake.
Under the instructions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah, the International Islamic Charity Organization (IICO) carried out the building of the town with the first phase, involving the construction of many housing units, costing around USD 1.5 million.
In the second phase, some 80 families benefited from the construction of additional housing units with the cost of USD 2.6 million.
Speaking to KUNA, several families expressed gratitude towards the Kuwaiti leadership and people, saying that this gesture was expected from the generous Arab country.
They also related their daily suffering before the construction of the town, saying that life was almost unbearable and harsh; however, the Kuwaiti humanitarian intervention made it possible for them to live in suitable houses.
The town provided necessary services for thousands of people affected by the 7.2-magnitude Van earthquake which killed around 644 people and injured over 4,152 others. A number of 2,262 houses were destroyed in the quake.
The town's name was derived from the UN honoring of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a humanitarian leader in 2014. (end) rs.gta