Afghanistan Consul General to Istanbul Zekria Barakzai and accompanying delegation, visited IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation General Headquarters were welcomed by IHH President Bülent Yıldırım and IHH Executive Board Member İzzet Şahin.
Turkey-Afghanistan Friendship Relations
The friendship relations between Turkey and Afghanistan were expressed in the visit. In this regard, Zekria Barakzai stated that 103 Afghans with the Ottoman Army were martyred in the battle of Çanakkale, also all Afghan people sold even their earrings and bracelets and supported Turks in the Turkish War of Independence. Barakzai reminded that Afghanistan is the first country to recognize Turkey after the Turkish war of Independence. The Consul General also stated that a thousand and 5 hundred Afghan polices received training in Sivas and 5 thousand Afghan students also received education in Turkey.
Afghan refugees in Turkey
The situation of Afghan refugees were also discussed in the visit. Zekria Barakzai said that : “There are large numbers of Afghan refugees in Turkey. The situation of refugees is quite difficult. Around 2 thousand Afghan refugees applied to us on a monthly basis and demanded to return back to our country. We request support from IHH to help Afghan refugees living in difficult conditions in Turkey.”
Bülent Yıldırım also said that IHH will deliver aid to all of the refugees regardless of their roots. Upon the request, Yıldırım expressed that they will prepare an extensive report on Afghan refugees in 81 provinces of Turkey and added that “In this respect, we will make cooperation with Afghan Consulate and Afghan students.”
The meeting was ended after mutually offered presents.
