Turkish Red Crescent humanitarian aid in Gaza

The Turkish Red Crescent has initiated a Prosthesis-Orthosis Support Project in Gaza to assist individuals who have suffered limb loss due to conflict. Beyond prosthetic support, the organization manages broader humanitarian operations, including the daily distribution of 100 tons of clean water and the operation of soup kitchens providing hot meals to 30,000 people every day.

Humanitarian efforts have expanded to include medical and financial support for patients. Turkish Red Crescent President Prof. Dr. Fatma Meriç Yılmaz recently visited Palestinian patients evacuated to Cairo, Egypt, to assess their treatment and coordinate with the Egyptian Red Crescent to address the collapsing healthcare system in the Gaza Strip.

To assist those struggling with medical costs, the organization is launching a three-month initiative at the Palestinian Red Crescent Hospital in Cairo with a budget of approximately 3.2 million Turkish Lira. Under the Gaza Health Support Project, the organization has provided roughly 10.5 million Turkish Lira in medical supplies across 34 categories to the Al Emel and Al Mawasi hospitals. The Turkish Red Crescent has also committed to covering medicines, consumables, personnel, and operating expenses for these two hospitals for six months starting October 1, 2025. Since October 7, 2023, the total value of health support provided to Gaza, including ambulances and equipment, has exceeded 85 million Turkish Lira.

Regarding logistics, Yılmaz reported significant delays at the Rafah Border Crossing. While a commitment was made for 600 humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza daily, only about 100 trucks are currently making the crossing. She noted that 160 trucks of aid prepared by the Turkish Red Crescent are currently awaiting entry.