Hyundai donates $1.1 million for Moroccan earthquake, Libya flood recovery

By : Benjamin Alade

Date: 21 September 2023 3:26am WAT

A man sits as rescue teams work in a destroyed area in Libya's eastern city of Derna on September 18, 2023, following deadly flash floods. - A week after a tsunami-sized flash flood devastated the Libyan coastal city of Derna, sweeping thousands to their deaths, the international aid effort to help the grieving survivors slowly gathered pace. The enormous flood, fuelled by torrential rains on September 10, had broken through two upstream dams and sent a giant wave crashing down the previously dry river bed, or wadi, that bisects the city of about 100,000 people. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)

People carry the remains of a victim of the deadly 6.8-magnitude September 8 earthquake, in the village of Imi N’Tala near Amizmiz in central Morocco on September 10, 2023. – Using heavy equipment and even their bare hands, rescuers in Morocco on September 10 stepped up efforts to find survivors of a devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,100 people and flattened villages. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

Hyundai Motor Group has announced a $1.1 million contribution to aid Morocco and Libya in their recovery efforts following severe earthquakes and floods.

The donations come from the four affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, Hyundai Engineering and Construction, and Hyundai Engineering).

These funds, $500,000 for Morocco and $600,000 for Libya will be channelled to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) through the Korean Red Cross.

In a statement by the group, yesterday, it stated that in addition to the financial contribution, Hyundai Motor Company Middle East and Africa Headquarters, in cooperation with its Moroccan distributor, is providing transportation for government-led initiatives for school supplies, provision of psychotherapists, and blood donations. Furthermore, they are offering discounts on damaged vehicle parts and free inspections.

In cooperation with its Moroccan distributor, Kia Middle East and Africa FZE will also donate ambulance vehicles to the Moroccan government and offer support vehicles for local non-government organisations (NGOs).

Besides, it stated that Hyundai Motor’s Libyan distributors have so far supported 30 truckloads of relief supplies, such as food and blankets, while Hyundai Motor Company Middle East and Africa Headquarters has initiated a special program to provide discounts on parts and free inspection of damaged vehicles.

It noted that Kia’s Libyan distributor also plans to deliver daily necessities such as water, food, and medicine to the affected areas and carry out relief activity including the provision of temporary shelters. Furthermore, Kia Middle East and Africa FZE plans to provide free vehicle maintenance services in Libya.

However, it stated that Hyundai Motor Group has provided donations and daily necessities to several previous major international disasters, including the earthquake in Türkiye in 2023, Hurricane Ian in the U.S. in 2022, the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia in 2018, and heavy rains in Peru/Colombia in 2017.