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Turkey Mobilize Quick and Sustained Help to Indonesia

Istanbul, Turkey | December 28, 2007 by D-8 Secretariat

The Turkish Red Crescent has moved an emergency clinic into the area of the Indonesian island of Java worst hit by the earthquake that killed thousands last Saturday, as the country’s increasingly active Merapi volcano, which officials say could erupt at any time, poses a fresh threat to this archipelago-country.

The death toll rose to 4,611 following the 6.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the central Java region, the Indonesian Social Affairs Ministry said. In response, this week the Turkish Red Crescent relocated one of its outpatient clinics to the earthquake region from Banda Aceh, where it has been attending to the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.

More than 1 million people were left homeless in the region hit by the earthquake, according to a statement by the Turkish charity organization Deniz Feneri (Lighthouse) and the charity fund of the secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI), the Indonesian national Red Cross society, expressed an urgent need for mobile hospitals, medical teams and large tents for families, the statement also said.

Turkey built 1,050 houses in the Aceh Province for survivors of the tsunami that hit Aceh and Nias on Dec. 26, 2004. “The houses have been given to refugees who survived from the tsunami disaster,” the head of the Turkish Red Crescent Representative Office, Abbas Ayhan, told Antara News in Aceh.

The Turkish relief organization has also built a community center, school buildings, mosques and hospitals, and has led activities to help children traumatized psychologically by the disaster, Abbas said. Deniz Feneri statement said that donations can be made through the Turkish Red Crescent account #2868 at all major banks. A text message can also be sent to 2868 or donors can visit http://www.kizilay.org.tr

Secretary General of D-8 Organization, Dipo Alam, who himself is an Indonesian, said that he appreciates very much the speedy help from Turkey. Alam said that The Turkish Red Crescent has been very active in reconstruction and rehabilitation process when tsunami hit Indonesia three years ago, and managed to sustain their help until today.

KzlyThe Turkish Red Crescent and D-8 Organization have been in close affinity for many years. Earlier this year, The Turkish Red Crescent also invited D-8 Organization which was represented by the Secretary General, Dipo Alam, to its 139th Anniversary on June 9, 2007 in Dolmabahçe Palace, İstanbul, Turkey. Alam was awarded an opportunity to deliver a remark at the beginning of the commemoration, and extended his highest gratitude for the Red Crescent’s contribution to the construction and rehabilitation process after the tsunami disaster in Calang, Aceh, Indonesia last December 2004. Alam also presented the Red Crescent his personal painting titled “Turkish Red Crescent in Calang”, about the activity of Red Crescent in humanitarian operation in Calang, decorated with 8 flags of the member states of D8.

In another occasion, D-8 Organization also expressed its interest in learning in more detail self-finance program to support humanitary activities, which can be applied also by fellow D-8 red cross/crescent organizations to break away from dependencies toward grants or government budget.

KZL

Secretary General, Dipo Alam, is planning to have a painting exhibition in June 2008, which will be held in assosiation with the commemoration of The Turkish Red Crescent’ 140th Anniversary, as a part of participation to fund-rising activities to the Red Crescent’s future humanitarian operation in the world.


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