Erdogan marks Turkish Red Crescent's 151st anniversary

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday congratulated the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) on the 151st anniversary of its founding.

In a message to the organization's head Kerem Kinik, Erdogan said the Turkish Red Crescent was "one of the world's most respectable institutions in its field."

Highlighting its importance, Erdogan said the Red Crescent was a symbol of Turkish solidarity, social cooperation, mercy and compassion and a source of hope for all victims and innocent people.

Kizilay is the largest humanitarian organization in Turkey, with an international network over which it provides relief to other nations in need.

It provides unconditional aid and non-profit, volunteer-based social services, and is a corporate body governed by special legal provisions.

Disaster management, blood donation, healthcare, first aid, international aid and immigration and refugee services are among the agency’s activities.