A Turkish aid agency has opened several key facilities in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Philippines.
A Turkish aid agency has opened several key facilities in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in Philippines.
Two orphanages, a school, a mosque, a refectory and a water well were opened by the Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) for the local residents.
While the primary school was built in Talayan municipality, the other facilities were built inside IHH Orphanage Complex in Cotabato.
The opening ceremony of the facilities was attended by Sait Demir, vice president of the IHH; Omer Kesmen, IHH’s regional representative to Moro; Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and Mohammad S. Yacob, head of Bangsamoro Development Agency among other officials and residents.
Speaking at the ceremony, Demir said the foundation continued to be a hope for the oppressed and the victims with the lasting works it did along with the humanitarian aid works being carried across the world.
A Turkish aid organization said that they were ready to handle any possible migration wave that would come from east of the Euphrates River after Turkey launches its planned anti-terror operation in the region.“We have finalized our preparations to meet the nutritional needs of any migration wave and to support their sheltering needs. Our teams are ready to ship [them] to the region,” Ibrahim Altan, head of Turkish Red Crescent, told Anadolu Agency.In his speech in Turkey's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Altan said the agency displays the Turkish government’s soft power by reaching every part of the world to help people in need.“We did all these works during Operation Euphrates Shield, in [northwestern Syria’s] Afrin and Idlib, and we provided necessary shipments [of migrants] to the regions,” he said.On Wednesday, Erdogan said that within days Turkey would launch an operation in Syria, east of the Euphrates, near Turkey’s borders, to clear the region of PKK/YPG terrorists.Altan added that efforts to meet nutrition and shelter needs of people in Afrin and Idlib regions were ongoing.YPG/PKK terrorists continue to pose threat to TurkeyHumanitarian assistance for RohingyaRecalling the activities of the Turkish Red Crescent, locally known as “Kizilay”, for Rohingya Muslims since 2012, he said teams were deployed in Bangladesh, where a large number of Rohingya sought refuge, escaping the persecution in Rakhine State of Myanmar.Noting that they were providing Rohingya with hygienic supplies, Altan said they were especially working on women.“We are educating them to read and write,” he said.Altan said that they also continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingya community in Pakistan and Turkey.“We have enough budget in Myanmar for Rohingya. Our people is so generous in this regard,” he said.The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation, labeling as “genocide” Myanmar’s ongoing crimes against Rohingya population.Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to a report by the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).More than 34,000 Rohingya were also thrown into fires, while over 114,000 others were beaten, said the OIDA report, titled "Forced Migration of Rohingya: The Untold Experience."Some 18,000 Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar’s army and police and over 115,000 Rohingya homes were burned down and 113,000 others vandalized, it added.According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly children, and women, fled Myanmar and crossed into neighboring Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community in August 2017.The UN has documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.Turkey’s planned operation gives hope to SyriansHumanitarian crisis in YemenStressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Altan said there had been a serious problem in the country since 2015.“There are 22 million vulnerable people in Yemen. Our teams are in Yemen’s Aden since around two years,” he said, adding that 17-18 regions in the country were receiving aid from Aden.“Last year, 13,000 tons of flour and thousands of food parcels were distributed,” Altan said.Some orphanages and houses, where elderly women stay, were also repaired, according to the head of the aid group.A group of Yemenis were also given first aid training, he added.Yemen has remained wracked by violence since 2014, when Shia Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa and the key port city of Al-Hudaydah.The conflict escalated in 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies launched a massive air campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.The violence has devastated Yemen’s infrastructure, including health and sanitation systems, prompting the UN to describe the situation as “one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times.”Turkish FM meets Crimean Tatar leader, UN special envoy
Turkish aid group ready for operation east of Euphrates
Turkey on Friday welcomed the agreements between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels reached in UN-backed peace talks in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.Turkey’s foreign ministry praised steps to improve the situation in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz province and the key port city of Al-Hudaydah in which the sides agreed on a cease-fire, as well as plans for a prisoner swap concerning thousands of persons and families."We also place importance on assurances that talks on a framework for negotiations for a political solution will continue," it said in a statement.Yemen's Houthis agree in principle to UN role at Sanaa airportThe statement also underlined that Ankara’s main expectation is for the crisis in the war-stricken country and the suffering of Turkey’s "Yemeni brothers and sisters" to come to an end, who are three out of four in need of aid."As the term chair of the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation], Turkey will continue to support UN efforts towards lasting peace and stability in Yemen in solidarity with the Yemeni people," it added.UN-backed peace talks between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels kicked off last week in Sweden.Yemen has been wracked by violence since 2014, when the Houthi rebels overran much of the country and the crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.Saudi Arabia and Sunni allies accuse the Houthis of acting as a proxy force for Shia Iran.Tens of thousands of people, including civilians, are believed to have been killed and the UN estimates that around 14 million Yemenis are at risk of famine.US Senate passes bill ending support for Yemen war
Turkey welcomes deals between Yemeni gov’t, rebels
‘I feel myself at home in Turkey’
Also speaking at the ceremony, Ebrahim said they were always going to boost the friendship with Turkey.
Stating that he has been visiting Turkey each year to share information on the future of Moro with related authorities, he added that their long struggle had been for the peace of Moro people.
Ebrahim also said a plebiscite is going to be held on Jan. 21, 2019 on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and as a result of it a transition government is going to be set up.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law, the fulfillment of the 2014 peace deal between the national government and the MILF, was signed in June by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The measure for greater autonomy creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, a region with more political and fiscal powers including a bigger annual block grant equivalent to 5 percent of the total national internal revenue collection.
Ebrahim went onto say that Turkey was one of the powerful countries that give them the biggest support, and added: “IHH is giving service to Moro in many fields such as orphanage and social aids. IHH also makes a serious contribution to [peace] process with the observer role in negotiations [with Philippines government].
“When I come to Turkey, I feel myself at home and very happy,” he added.
Ankara and Nairobi on Wednesday marked golden jubilee of friendship alongside Kenya's 55th Jamhuri (Republic) Day on Wednesday.Speaking at an event in the capital Ankara, Turkish deputy minister of environment and urbanization expressed her country’s desire to boost the relations with Kenya."We wish to achieve a goal of increasing our mutual investments for the benefit of the two nations," Fatma Varank told the audience.She noted Turkish Embassy in Nairobi is one of the oldest in Africa which was established in 1968.Nathaniel Taama, Kenya's chargé d'affaires, also hailed the relations between the two countries and agreed to further enhance friendship and cooperation."...particularly for Turkish investors, Kenya's becoming a key part of their global portfolio," he said, noting that there are over 30 Turkish companies operating in Kenya.Turkey is active in Africa with 42 embassies, 22 program coordination offices of TIKA, a Turkish state-run aid agency, and other foundations, according to the Turkish deputy minister of environment and urbanization.
Turkey, Kenya mark golden jubilee of friendship
A Turkish aid organization said that they were ready to handle any possible migration wave that would come from east of the Euphrates River after Turkey launches its planned anti-terror operation in the region.“We have finalized our preparations to meet the nutritional needs of any migration wave and to support their sheltering needs. Our teams are ready to ship [them] to the region,” Ibrahim Altan, head of Turkish Red Crescent, told Anadolu Agency.In his speech in Turkey's Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Altan said the agency displays the Turkish government’s soft power by reaching every part of the world to help people in need.“We did all these works during Operation Euphrates Shield, in [northwestern Syria’s] Afrin and Idlib, and we provided necessary shipments [of migrants] to the regions,” he said.On Wednesday, Erdogan said that within days Turkey would launch an operation in Syria, east of the Euphrates, near Turkey’s borders, to clear the region of PKK/YPG terrorists.Altan added that efforts to meet nutrition and shelter needs of people in Afrin and Idlib regions were ongoing.YPG/PKK terrorists continue to pose threat to TurkeyHumanitarian assistance for RohingyaRecalling the activities of the Turkish Red Crescent, locally known as “Kizilay”, for Rohingya Muslims since 2012, he said teams were deployed in Bangladesh, where a large number of Rohingya sought refuge, escaping the persecution in Rakhine State of Myanmar.Noting that they were providing Rohingya with hygienic supplies, Altan said they were especially working on women.“We are educating them to read and write,” he said.Altan said that they also continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingya community in Pakistan and Turkey.“We have enough budget in Myanmar for Rohingya. Our people is so generous in this regard,” he said.The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation, labeling as “genocide” Myanmar’s ongoing crimes against Rohingya population.Since Aug. 25, 2017, nearly 24,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed by Myanmar’s state forces, according to a report by the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA).More than 34,000 Rohingya were also thrown into fires, while over 114,000 others were beaten, said the OIDA report, titled "Forced Migration of Rohingya: The Untold Experience."Some 18,000 Rohingya women and girls were raped by Myanmar’s army and police and over 115,000 Rohingya homes were burned down and 113,000 others vandalized, it added.According to Amnesty International, more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, mostly children, and women, fled Myanmar and crossed into neighboring Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community in August 2017.The UN has documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces. In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.Turkey’s planned operation gives hope to SyriansHumanitarian crisis in YemenStressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Altan said there had been a serious problem in the country since 2015.“There are 22 million vulnerable people in Yemen. Our teams are in Yemen’s Aden since around two years,” he said, adding that 17-18 regions in the country were receiving aid from Aden.“Last year, 13,000 tons of flour and thousands of food parcels were distributed,” Altan said.Some orphanages and houses, where elderly women stay, were also repaired, according to the head of the aid group.A group of Yemenis were also given first aid training, he added.Yemen has remained wracked by violence since 2014, when Shia Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa and the key port city of Al-Hudaydah.The conflict escalated in 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies launched a massive air campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.The violence has devastated Yemen’s infrastructure, including health and sanitation systems, prompting the UN to describe the situation as “one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times.”Turkish FM meets Crimean Tatar leader, UN special envoy Turkish aid group ready for operation east of Euphrates
'Optimistic and hopeful'
Also thanking Turkey for its support Bangsamoro people during the transition to comprehensive autonomy, Ebrahim said the people have reached the last phase of a 50-year fight and resistance.
He said the referendum was going to decide the regions that will come under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, adding the law will provide necessary freedom for practicing religion.
“We are optimistic and hopeful that most of the people in the region will support the referendum,” he said, adding that they witnessed a strong support during the campaign process.
Stating that the ones opposing the referendum are less in numbers and they did it for political interest, Ebrahim said it was not possible for them to negatively affect the voting.
Kesmen, for his part, said: “We are trying to contribute to the just cause of the Moro people by carrying out both orphanage, school and humanitarian aid as much as we can.”
Two orphanages inside the IHH’s complex have capacity of 96 children, while the mosque allows 150 people to perform prayer at the same time.
The refectory will also serve 120 orphans and workers.
The primary school -- which is expected to improve people-to-people relation between Turkey and Moro -- opened in Talayan has a capacity for 150 students.
Turkey on Friday welcomed the agreements between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels reached in UN-backed peace talks in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.Turkey’s foreign ministry praised steps to improve the situation in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz province and the key port city of Al-Hudaydah in which the sides agreed on a cease-fire, as well as plans for a prisoner swap concerning thousands of persons and families."We also place importance on assurances that talks on a framework for negotiations for a political solution will continue," it said in a statement.Yemen's Houthis agree in principle to UN role at Sanaa airportThe statement also underlined that Ankara’s main expectation is for the crisis in the war-stricken country and the suffering of Turkey’s "Yemeni brothers and sisters" to come to an end, who are three out of four in need of aid."As the term chair of the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation], Turkey will continue to support UN efforts towards lasting peace and stability in Yemen in solidarity with the Yemeni people," it added.UN-backed peace talks between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels kicked off last week in Sweden.Yemen has been wracked by violence since 2014, when the Houthi rebels overran much of the country and the crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.Saudi Arabia and Sunni allies accuse the Houthis of acting as a proxy force for Shia Iran.Tens of thousands of people, including civilians, are believed to have been killed and the UN estimates that around 14 million Yemenis are at risk of famine.US Senate passes bill ending support for Yemen war Turkey welcomes deals between Yemeni gov’t, rebels
Ankara and Nairobi on Wednesday marked golden jubilee of friendship alongside Kenya's 55th Jamhuri (Republic) Day on Wednesday.Speaking at an event in the capital Ankara, Turkish deputy minister of environment and urbanization expressed her country’s desire to boost the relations with Kenya."We wish to achieve a goal of increasing our mutual investments for the benefit of the two nations," Fatma Varank told the audience.She noted Turkish Embassy in Nairobi is one of the oldest in Africa which was established in 1968.Nathaniel Taama, Kenya's chargé d'affaires, also hailed the relations between the two countries and agreed to further enhance friendship and cooperation."...particularly for Turkish investors, Kenya's becoming a key part of their global portfolio," he said, noting that there are over 30 Turkish companies operating in Kenya.Turkey is active in Africa with 42 embassies, 22 program coordination offices of TIKA, a Turkish state-run aid agency, and other foundations, according to the Turkish deputy minister of environment and urbanization. Turkey, Kenya mark golden jubilee of friendship