Turkey, UN agency launch aid campaign for Palestinians

By Suleyman Tunc

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s state-run Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA on Friday launched a new aid campaign in an effort to support Palestinian people, a statement said.

The statement by AFAD said the campaign -- titled Time to Share For Palestine -- provides an opportunity to show solidarity with Palestinian people against the illegal occupation policy of Israel in the Palestinian territories,” said the statement issued by AFAD.

“Aids are vital for our Palestinian brothers and sisters to live a peaceful Ramadan,” it said.

The statement noted that 400 Palestinians lost their lives and more than 50,000 others injured only in the last four years due to the Israeli occupation and conflict.

Underlining that Palestinians are facing increasing violence and that they are struggling under the blockade for years, the statement said: “They are waiting for the support of our people.”

Stressing the importance of sharing during Ramadan, it said: “Aid that will be collected as part of this campaign will be a ray of hope for the Palestinians who had been experiencing difficult times after the US decided to stop its aid.”

Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump cut Washington’s annual funding for UNRWA. The U.S. had been the agency’s largest contributor by far, providing it with $350 million each year -- roughly a quarter of its overall budget.

“More than 5 million Palestinian Refugees and more than 1.7 million defenseless Palestinians living in Gaza are trying to survive,” the AFAD said.

One-month food cost for a Palestinian family is calculated as TL 230, according to the statement.

The volunteers who want to support the campaign can donate via the AFAD website or send a message to 1866 by writing Palestine to donate 10 Turkish Lira, the statement added.

Donations collected within the context of this campaign will be sent to people in need by Turkey and UNRWA.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz