Turkey continues to be ranked among top donor countries

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey continues to be one of the largest humanitarian donors globally, spending billions of dollars in aid, according to a recent report by the UK-based Development Initiatives (DI).

In 2020, Turkey accounted for 26% of global humanitarian aid – $30.9 billion – and spent $8.04 billion, up 5.9% on a yearly basis, the Global Humanitarian Assistance Report 2021 released late June said.

It came only second after the US, which spent $8.9 billion, increasing 6.9% compared to 2019.

Germany, the EU and UK followed with $3.7 billion, $2.6 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.

Turkey ranks first if one takes into account national incomes. Its humanitarian aid spending was 0.98% of its GDP, followed by Luxembourg at 0.19%, Sweden and Norway each at 0.16% and Denmark with 0.15%.

Turkey ranked third on the DI report in 2013, 2014 and 2015, second in 2016 and first in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

It hosts nearly four million refugees, the most in any country in the world. The number of Syrians under temporary protection statute in Turkey is 3.68 million.

- Largest recipients

The report highlighted that Syria was the largest aid recipient in 2020, receiving $2.6 billion.

Yemen received $2.15 billion, Lebanon $1.56 billion, South Sudan $1.38 billion and the Democratic Republic of Congo $1.05 billion.

"Covid-19 has increased impetus for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian response," said the report.

- Western countries' steps insufficient

Senol Topal, the Idlib coordinator for Fetihder, a Turkish humanitarian aid association, said Turks consider helping those in need due to natural disasters, war and conflict, and poverty as their "human duty."

He said aid is a humanitarian obligation, and that the Turkish society is sensitive and helpful in this regard.

Topal touched on Idlib's current situation, saying that around four million people in the region are in need of food, medicines and building materials.

"Aid from other countries to Syria is generally provided by governments, and not the people, and is insufficient," he said, adding that donor countries should not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity or religion.

Mentioning Fetihder's global activities, Topal said several places are in need and his group tries to reach them, including in Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Africa and the Balkans.

Omer Ozhan Bitlis, the head of Istanbul Ensarlari, an Istanbul-based relief organization, said compared to Western countries, Turkey is in good position to host and help refugees.

Turks do not exhibit racism or hostility toward refugees, he said, adding that Syrian refugees embrace Turkey and see Turkish people as their brothers and sisters.