Turkey opens libraries in poor towns in Mexico

Turkey's state aid agency has established eight new libraries in Mexico, in one of two poor states recently hit by a powerful earthquake.

A statement on Wednesday said that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) opened libraries in schools in the state of Chiapas, in the towns of San Fernando, Comitan de Dominguez, La Independencia, Chamula, Teopisca, and Cintalapa.

Over 500 students will benefit from these new libraries, which will encourage students to improve their reading skills, the statement added.

At an opening ceremony, Enrique Torres Rivera, executive director of Mexico's National Education Development Council, praised Turkey's support for education in his country.

Rivera said TIKA's project would help the schools provide a better education to their students.

Underlining the project's importance, TIKA's program coordinator in Mexico Muhammed Unal said its aim is to give particularly poorly educated elementary school students easier access to information.

Last week, at least 96 people were killed after a powerful earthquake struck southern Mexico, in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca. Sixteen fatalities were recorded in Chiapas.