Turkish delegation visits Muslims in Bangladesh camps

By Barış Kılıç

COX’S BAZAR (AA) – A delegation of Turkish deputies and officials from the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) recently visited camps in Bangladesh housing Muslims who had fled violence in Myanmar’s Arakan province.

Many Turkish deputies, including AKP Konya Deputy Husnuye Erdogan, Tekirdag Deputy Ayse Dogan, Nevsehir Deputy Mustafa Acikgoz, Hatay Deputy Haci Bayram Turkoglu and Kayseri Deputy Ismail Tamer as well as AFAD Chairman Mehmet Gulluoglu and Vice President Ismail Palakoglu took part in the visit to Cox’s Bazar.

The committee first visited Sahra Hospital, founded by AFAD, where Deputy Tamer, who is also a doctor, treated a child and prescribed him medication.

They then helped distribute food aid packages from the Turkish Red Crescent at the Kutapong 2 Camp, also called “Turkish Hill”.

The delegation also visited the Migration Aid and Repatriation Center to learn about its needs from Muhammed Abul Kalam, the head of the center, who later expressed his gratitude to Turkey.

“We will do more than our best with your cooperation and help,” said Gulluoglu.

A total of 4,000 aid packages are distributed each week, according to the officials, and 600 food packages were distributed that day.

Deputy Turkoglu said Turkey will continue to provide aid.

The number of refugees has exceeded one million and Bangladesh can’t bear the burden alone, Deputy Erdogan told reporters.

“Therefore, the whole world should help Bangladesh. Turkey does its part in Bangladesh as it does everywhere. As Turkey, we stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters.”

*Dilan Pamuk contributed to this story from Ankara.