The ship will be carrying food, medicine, medical equipments, tents, prefabricated houses, cleaning and textile materials for the flood victims in Pakistan.  

Although five months have passed over the disaster, Pakistan has not yet recovered. The floods affected 30 million people and left 2 million of them homeless. Flood waters inundated one third of the country’s soil. Officials say the aftereffects of the disaster in the country will last for years.

Thanks to the donations of the Turkish charity givers, the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has provided emergency aid to the region since the immediate outbreak of the disaster. Emergency aid which was provided from the capital Islamabad was rapidly distributed to the flood-stricken regions. Cargo planes and trains carrying aid were sent to the country from Turkey. The IHH also launched projects for the construction of houses for those whose houses were demolished in the floods. Construction of some of these houses has been completed and their keys have been distributed to the families. Restoration of the Nowshere State Hospital which was badly damaged by the floods is still in progress.

Now, the IHH is ready to send the Defne ship, which is loaded with humanitarian aid, to Pakistan. After talks with Pakistani officials, the foundation provided the materials which are urgently needed in the region. Medical equipments and medicine are of crucial importance for Pakistan whose healthcare infrastructure and hospitals were severely damaged by the floods.

Defne was part of a six-ship flotilla which was stopped by Israel during its voyage to Gaza last May.

Turkish charity givers made significant donations for Pakistan. Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid were sent to İstanbul from various corners of Anatolia. The IHH will hold a news conference at 10:30 am on Friday before the ship sets sail for Pakistan.