Taiwan's president to donate one month's salary for Turkey relief efforts

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President William Lai will each donate a month's salary for Turkish earthquake relief efforts, the presidential office said on Thursday.

Tsai and Lai "hope to do their part to help Turkey rebuild its homeland as soon as possible", the presidential office said in a statement.

The news adds to the already announced $2m in disaster relief and two rescue teams that Taiwan has pledged to Turkey to help in search efforts for survivors.

Tsai spoke by video call to some of Taiwan's team on the ground on Wednesday.

"I would like to thank all the members for not being afraid of difficulties and going all out so that Taiwan and Turkey can help each other," she wrote on her Facebook page.

Turkey joined international efforts and sent rescuers to Taiwan in 1999 after a massive earthquake killed more than 2,000 people.