The aid campaign, led by Sadakataşı Association and İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, is supported by Yetim Foundation, Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, and Yeryüzü Çocukları Association. A press conference held in Beirut during the distribution was attended by Lebanese Minister of Economy Amer Bisat, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Beirut Tolga Budak, President of the Palestine Support Platform Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, President of Sadakataşı Kemal Özdal, and representatives of civil society organizations.

As part of the aid campaign, valued at TRY 100 million, approximately 700,000 people will receive Qurbani meat. The initiative is the largest single meat distribution campaign ever carried out in Lebanon. Distribution is taking place across all Lebanese cities with the participation of the NGOs’ field teams and local partner organizations.

“We Will Continue to Stand by the People of Lebanon”

Tolga Budak, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Beirut, said:

“First of all, I would like to thank everyone for being here. As you know, the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s brutal attacks has had devastating consequences in Lebanon. As a result, more than one million people have been displaced. The Turkish people witnessed this situation closely and asked themselves, ‘How can we help Lebanon?’ In response, Turkish NGOs such as Sadakataşı and İHH, which had already been organizing aid campaigns in Lebanon, launched various relief efforts. Beyond our NGOs, the Turkish people and the Republic of Türkiye will always stand by the people and government of Lebanon.”

“Qurbani Meat Will Reach 140,000 Families”

Speaking at the press conference, Sadakataşı President Kemal Özdal said:

“As Turkish civil society organizations, we have been delivering emergency humanitarian aid to the region since the very beginning. To date, the aid we have sourced within Lebanon, together with the assistance we have delivered from Türkiye to Lebanon through five separate sea shipments, has exceeded $30 million.

“For the Qurbani campaign, 280 tons of frozen meat from animals slaughtered in India were delivered to Lebanon for people affected by the war and families in need. This assistance was provided through the contributions of Sadakataşı Association, İHH, Yetim Foundation, Mavi Marmara Association, and Yeryüzü Çocukları Association. Customs procedures have now been completed, and the meat is ready for distribution.

“Shortly, the meat will be transported for distribution throughout Lebanon through civil society organizations operating across the country. The 2-kilogram packages will be distributed to 140,000 families.”

“I Sincerely Thank Our Brothers and Sisters in Türkiye”

Lebanese Minister of Economy Amer Bisat said:

“You recognize your friends and brothers during difficult and challenging times. Unfortunately, Lebanon is going through an extremely difficult period today. We have endured very difficult circumstances, from the unprecedented financial crisis that began in 2019 and the Beirut port explosion, whose sixth anniversary will be tomorrow, to two major wars carried out by a cruel and ruthless enemy that is occupying our land today.Unfortunately, the period we are going through is extremely difficult. It is during such times that you truly understand who your brothers and friends are. There are social, economic, fraternal, and historical ties that connect the Lebanese and Turkish peoples, and none are stronger than the bond between us and our brothers and sisters in Türkiye. This deep-rooted relationship goes back hundreds of years. The generosity we have received from our brothers in Türkiye has never been a surprise to us. Since the beginning of the 2024 war, the Turkish government has provided $30 million in aid. We have also received support from civil society organizations such as Sadakataşı.These efforts represent our goal, dream, and hope of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and solidarity between Lebanon and Türkiye. We hope that one day Lebanon will rise again and that our relations with Türkiye will be strengthened once more in the areas of trade, investment, tourism, and brotherhood. We hope that we can overcome this difficult period together. On behalf of the Lebanese government and the entire Lebanese people, I sincerely thank our brothers and sisters in Türkiye for their support and for standing by us during this difficult time.”

“There Is Great Affection Between the Two Countries”

Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, President of the Türkiye Palestine Support Platform, said:

“There is truly an unbreakable bond of love and friendship between Türkiye and Lebanon. In keeping with this friendship and affection, we will continue working together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in Lebanon, Türkiye, and our region. As brotherly peoples and countries that share a deep affection for one another, we have a responsibility to support each other in every way possible and to provide whatever assistance we can under the current circumstances.”

Following the press conference, the meat was transported to various regions across Lebanon for distribution.