In a speech at the Turkish Red Crescent's general conference in Ankara, Erdogan explained that the organization extended aid to 33 million people within the country and to more than 14 million people in other countries over the past year.
He added, "The Turkish Red Crescent has never left our brothers in Gaza alone since the start of the brutal Israeli attacks on October 7, 2023."
History of the Association
Highlighting the association's history, Erdoğan noted that the Turkish Red Crescent was founded in 1868 under the name "Society for the Aid of Wounded and Sick Ottoman Soldiers," and that its founding goal was to assist wounded soldiers on the front lines and extend a helping hand to sick soldiers.
He stressed that the Turkish Red Crescent has provided assistance to thousands of soldiers since the Russo-Ottoman War, through World War I, and throughout the Turkish independence battles of 1919-1923 and the "peace process" in Cyprus in 1974.
He pointed out that the Red Crescent has always been at the forefront of serving the army and the people in times of crisis and major challenges.
He emphasized that the Turkish Red Crescent's role in extending a helping hand to those in need is not limited to Turkey alone, but extends to all crisis areas around the world.
He said that the Turkish Red Crescent has provided aid to those affected by wars in Palestine, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and other countries, and that it has "always been present in these regions, representing Türkiye in providing humanitarian aid."
He pointed out that the association has today become a major institution carrying out important and valuable work across a wide range of fields. It has 513 branches and representative offices, approximately 400,000 volunteers, and 18 regional blood banks. It also operates 69 blood donation centers, four hospitals, two medical centers, five regional disaster management centers, 13 disaster response centers, and 94 areas for migrant activities, in addition to charity kitchens and nursing homes.
Turkish Red Crescent in Gaza
Regarding the Turkish Foundation's activities in Gaza, the Turkish President noted that the Red Crescent, in coordination with the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), sent aid ships loaded with food, medical supplies, health supplies, and shelter materials, contributing to alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.
He continued, "The Turkish Red Crescent's Gaza Kitchen has so far provided 5.2 million meals to Palestinians in the famine-stricken Gaza Strip and distributed 1.6 million liters of water."
He continued: "The Turkish Red Crescent also distributed sacrificial meat and ready-made meals in various regions of Palestine until Ramadan. During the holy month of Ramadan, it hosted 840,000 iftar tables."
He added that the Turkish Red Crescent distributes 15,000 meals daily in Gaza as part of its other ongoing aid efforts in the Strip. President Erdoğan also emphasized that the Red Crescent works tirelessly in various regions, such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.
