The first of its kind, World Humanitarian Summit started in Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkey.

IHH Board member Mr. Durmuş Aydın delivered his speech in the session entitled “Relief Activities and Projects Catering to Vulnerable Groups by Turkish and International NGOs” and made a presentation on IHH’s relief efforts for Syria over the past six years.

"An entire nation is doomed to die or live crippled”

He noted that after 6 years in war Syria is strewn with destroyed cities, 400.000 casualties and 250.000 missing people while millions are awaiting their death. 

Aydın has reported that the war created 5 million refugees, 1 million asylum seekers, 7 million internally displaced people and around 600.000 orphan children and added that an entire nation is doomed to die or live crippled.

He told that IHH has opened 8 new schools in 2015; built 342 schools in total both in Turkey and Syria giving education to Syrian students; provided supplies for 157.000 students; and organized vocational training courses for Syrian refugee youth. 

Aydın also noted that IHH set up fire fighter brigade and research and rescue units in Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam refugee camps in Aleppo in Syria. "We have four sprinklers, 2 research and rescue vehicles and equipment, one ambulance. Our qualified staff is trying to carry out their duties bravely despite lack of certain equipment. We have prepared the project of a hospital with 200-bed capacity, with 3 surgery rooms and burn units for which the estimated budget is 10 million dollars, he added.

Turkey is Top Country in Relief Work

Turkish Red Crescent president Mr. Kerem Kınık also delivered a speech in which he noted that Syrian crisis has been going on for 1894 days now, and huge tragedies have happened since 15 March 2011 yet international community started to get used to them.

Prime Ministry Disaster & Emergency Management Authority president Mr. Fatih Özer, said that there are 5.596 NGOs in Turkey most of which is engaged with humanitarian relief contributing to the relief efforts for Syria greatly.Prime Ministry Disaster & Emergency Management Authority president Mr. Fatih Özer, said that there are 5.596 NGOs in Turkey most of which is engaged with humanitarian relief contributing to the relief efforts for Syria greatly.

The last speaker, Antonius Zutphen from Norwegian Refugee Council remarked that Turkish NGOs have been working quite efficiently and effectively during Syrian crisis.

IHH Booth in the Summit

Furthermore, IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has been promoting its activities in a 30-square-metre booth, which attracts many visitors in the exhibition hall. IHH gives information about its activities in Turkey and around the world. IHH executive board members engage with visitors to tell more about IHH’s work.The last speaker, Antonius Zutphen from Norwegian Refugee Council remarked that Turkish NGOs have been working quite efficiently and effectively during Syrian crisis.