IHH provides aid to the last Syrian Christian of Idlib

By Mehmet Burak Karacaogu

IDLIB, Syria (AA) – Turkish humanitarian organization IHH on Tuesday delivered aid to Michel Boutros, a 90-year-old Christian who lives alone in Syria’s northern city of Idlib.

IHH came to know about the plight of Boutros following Anadolu Agency’s coverage of his story on Sept. 9.

Boutros, who is lovingly nicknamed ‘Al-Hajj’ by his neighbors, is the only Christian who insisted on staying in Idlib after all Christians left the city in the past years due to civil war.

He lives on donations from the church and philanthropists in his country and was thankful that he has never gone hungry.

Acting upon Anadolu Agency’s news coverage, an IHH team visited the old Christian at his home.

The team fixed Boutros’ defective hearing aid and delivered a package of aid containing sugar, rice, lentils, oil, olives, halva and cleaning materials such as detergent and soap among others, IHH’s youth wing Syria Officer Burak Parlakyigit told Anadolu Agency.

Parlakyigit stressed that the organization carries out charity works in many parts of the world without discriminating against religion, language or race.

He promised the organization will frequently visit Al-Hajj and help cater for his needs.

For his part, Boutros appreciated IHH’s help and extended his greetings to the youth of Turkey.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar