First lady marks Turkish Red Crescent's 152nd year

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's first lady on Thursday marked the 152nd anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Red Crescent, also known as Kizilay.

“I congratulate the establishment anniversary of the Turkish Red Crescent, which carries the high values of Anatolian civilization to the whole world,” Emine Erdogan said on Twitter.

Kizilay is helping everyone for over 150 years with unconditional kindness and compassion, she added.

The charity was established in 1868 as the Society for Aiding the Wounded and Ailing Ottoman Soldiers.

With disaster management and logistic systems established across the country, Kizilay is one of the first bodies to step into action at times of natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.

It is a national organization that relies on donations only and does not get any share in the state budget.