Head of Red Cross visits Gazan people hosted in Türkiye

IFRC President Kate Forbes, along with Turkish Red Crescent President Fatma Meric Yilmaz, visit Palestinians from Gaza hosted in Türkiye, emphasizing the need for lasting peace amid ongoing tragedies in the region

The president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)  Kate Forbes visited Palestinians from Gaza who are currently being hosted in Türkiye on Thursday.

Accompanied by Turkish Red Crescent President Fatma Meric Yilmaz, Forbes visited Gazans receiving treatment at the Turkish Red Crescent Sehit Serhat Onder Social Service Center.

Yilmaz mentioned that the center hosted 12 children and 12 women from Gaza, with the children improving their health.

She emphasized the coordination with national societies in their efforts.

Yilmaz also highlighted the daily tragedies faced by the people of Gaza, mentioning a recent major attack that resulted in over 100 deaths. She expressed humanitarian organizations’ commitment to providing food and basic needs for those affected.

“Our guests here are under our care, and we treat them as family during their stay. However, they are concerned for their home loved ones, who are not safe. This is why we continue to call for lasting peace,” she stated.

She emphasized that without lasting peace, efforts to assist would only serve as temporary solutions. She noted that hearing the stories of those in the center evoked sadness and gratitude that they were safe.

Since an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, Israel has carried out a deadly military offensive in the Gaza Strip. The conflict has resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths, with over 30,035 Palestinians killed and 70,457 injured, amidst widespread destruction and shortages.

A blockade imposed by Israel has further exacerbated the situation, particularly in northern Gaza, where residents face severe shortages of essentials.

The Israeli offensive has led to 85% of Gaza’s population being internally displaced, with acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. According to the U.N, 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.

Israel is facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, with an interim ruling in January ordering Tel Aviv to cease genocidal acts and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s civilians.

Source: Newsroom

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