Bülent Yıldırım, the president of the Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH)
A 20-truck convoy carrying humanitarian aid for Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib set off from Istanbul on Monday, president of a Turkish aid agency said.
This is the first part of 1,000 truck-load of humanitarian aid for Idlib, Bülent Yıldırım, the president of the Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) told reporters during the event.
"A tragedy that will occur in a possible [military] operation in Idlib is not only Turkey’s problem but Europe’s as well," Yıldırım said.
The Syrian regime has recently announced plans to launch a major military offensive in the area, which has long been controlled by various armed opposition groups.
The UN warned last week that such an offensive would lead to the "worst humanitarian catastrophe in the 21st century".
Turkey currently hosts nearly 3.5 million Syrian refugees, more than any other country in the world.
"Our goal is to send 1,000 trucks to Idlib," Yıldırım said, adding the agency was working across Turkey for this aid campaign.
"Today, we have started with 20 trucks," he added.
"Idlib hit by barrel bombs as well. These bombs hit even civil defense teams. Russia hits too," he added.
On Sunday, a footage showing Russian and regime jets targeting teams of the White Helmets while rescuing civilians in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province was revealed.
The video showed a team of the White Helmets, a local civil defense agency, while extinguishing a fire that broke out after an airstrike in Khan Sheykhun.
Anas Diab, a civil defense member, was injured while capturing the video and pleaded for help from others around him when another strike hit the area near him.
Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating civil war that began in 2011. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict and millions more displaced, according to the UN.
The UN's Human Right Council on Monday expressed concerns over "the ongoing military operations" and their impact on millions of civilians in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province.In the keynote speech at the 39th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said: "We remind all parties to the conflict that they must adhere strictly to all relevant principles of international humanitarian law in the conduct of operations."The impact of the conflicts on civilians should be minimized, humanitarian aid should be provided, and humanitarian corridors should be opened to ensure that the civilians safely leave conflict-affected areas, Bachelet added.Syrian opposition forces on red alert as Idlib offensive looms"Accountability must be a corner-stone of the country's future," she said.The Syrian regime has recently announced plans to launch a major military offensive in the area, which has long been controlled by various armed opposition groups.The UN warned last week that such an offensive would lead to the "worst humanitarian catastrophe in the 21st century".Located near the Turkish border, Idlib is home to more than 3 million Syrians, many of whom fled from other cities following attacks by regime forces.Turkish Red Crescent sends aid to Syria's Idlib,LatakiaCall to establish independent mechanism to probe MyanmarBachelet also commented on a recent UN report on Myanmar’s human rights violations and abuses.She said, "This Council session will be apprised of the deeply shocking findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar."She referred to the report where the UN documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by Myanmar state forces.Turkey welcomes half of the world’s Syrian refugeesIn the report issued by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, UN investigators said the violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.Bachelet called on member states at the council to establish an "independent international mechanism" for Myanmar to collect, consolidate, preserve, and analyze evidence of the most serious international crimes in order to expedite fair and independent trials in national and international courts.The commissioner added: "This mechanism would also complement and support the preliminary examination of the ICC [International Criminal Court] Prosecutor."Last week, ICC ruled it could investigate Myanmar for the alleged deportation of Rohingya to Bangladesh as a possible crime against humanity.The unprecedented decision could expose the country’s politicians and army generals to charges.The 39th Human Rights Council is held between Sept. 10-28 at the UN headquarters in Geneva.The council will discuss human rights violations in Syria, Yemen, the occupied Palestinian territory, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, as well as in the Democratic Republic of Congo.The three-week session will be carried out with the participation of 25 independent human rights experts, groups and mechanisms.
UN voices concern over military operations in Idlib
Turkish Red Crescent, locally known as Kızılay, has sent 145 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid to northern part of Syria over the past month.The aid foundation delivered dry food, stationery, bread, medicine and clothes to needy people in countrysides of Idlib and Latakia cities.Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Hakan Sarı, head of border assistance operation, said they had been sending aid to the needy people since 2011, when the civil war started in the country.“Totally 145 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid have been sent to needy people particularly in Turkmendagi and Jabal al-Akrad regions of Idlib and Latakia countrysides within 30 days, thanks to our foundation and philanthropists,” Sarı said.The aid efforts will continue, he added.Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating civil war that began in 2011. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict and millions more displaced, according to the UN.Turkey currently hosts nearly 3.5 million Syrian refugees, more than any other country in the world.Turkish aid officials fear mass migration from IdlibWhite Helmets: Syria's savior angelsIdlib offensive could trigger new wave of migration to Europe, Turkey
Turkish Red Crescent sends aid to Syria's Idlib, Latakia
Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdoğan will be given a humanitarian service award in London on Sept. 11 by the Global Donors Forum.The forum is being organized by the Chicago-based World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists as the first meeting of the forum was held in Istanbul in 2008.The Humanitarian Service Recognition Award acknowledge's the first lady's philanthropic efforts for the needy, especially the Rohingya that drew the attention of international public opinion.Emine Erdoğan first went to Myanmar in 2012 despite threats to her life and drew international attention to the persecution of Rohingya; she had pioneered aid campaigns for the Muslim minority people.On Sep. 7 last year, the first lady and Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu visited refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh where Rohingya Muslims took shelter after fleeing Myanmar's Rakhine State.They handed out humanitarian aid to Rohingya Muslim refugees at a camp in Cox's Bazar district near the Myanmar border.Emine Erdoğan also wrote an article for CNN International on the Rohingya issue on Sept. 19 last year under the title "The world cannot ignore the plight of Rohingya Muslims", highlighting the issue before the international audience.She also outlined Turkey’s efforts related to refugees and humanitarian aid at a meeting on the theme ‘Solidarity with Refugees: Humanitarian Approaches to Mediterranean, Africa and Myanmar,’ hosted by Turkey’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. Furthermore, the first lady wrote and sent letters to spouses of world leaders on the Rohingya issue.She had also showed humanitarian sensitiveness over the 2009 attack on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.She had organized an international summit in Istanbul under the title "Women for Peace in Palestine" where many spouses of leaders were invited to the summit calling for an end to the attacks in Gaza.Emine Erdoğan has also done a lot of philanthropic work in Turkey in fields such as education and health, and has also made efforts for the disabled community. She has also taken several initiatives for refugees.Global Donors Forum, the biennial convening of the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists, mobilizes financial and intellectual resources to create socio-economic value beyond racial, religious and political divides, according to the official website of the forum.The 8th Global Donors Forum will be held in London between Sept. 10 and Sept. 12.At the three-day event, topics such as human dignity, resistance against radicalization, social solidarity and faith based donation will be discussed at locations such as the British Museum, Mansion House and House of Lords.The Forum brings together distinguished philanthropists, grantmakers, social investors, government and business leaders, and experts from across the world to offer pragmatic insight and constructive responses to pressing global challenges.The forum envisions a peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world, generously endowed by ethical, inclusive, and effective philanthropy.
Turkey's first lady to get humanitarian service award