Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said today, Saturday, that Canada will make it easier for temporary residents from Turkey and Syria to extend their stay in the country and will prioritize visa applications for people from these two countries.

More than 50,000 people have died and millions have been displaced following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6.

Fraser said the government will allow people from Turkey and Syria who have temporary status to visit family, study, or work in Canada to apply for an extension and will waive the application fees for them.

He added that his ministry will also prioritize processing temporary visa applications for those affected by the earthquake.

The government also said that as of March 10, about 600 Syrians and 6,400 Turks in Canada have temporary status that is set to expire within the next six months.

Last month, the federal government said it would send an additional $20 million in aid to those affected by the earthquake and will match another $10 million in private donations.