On Sunday, Türkiye dispatched a ship loaded with 3,000 tons of humanitarian supplies to Somalia, following the Ship of Goodness departing from Mersin, a southern province in Türkiye.
This aid was loaded onto the ship GHADA under the supervision of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), with assistance from the Turkish Red Crescent and other non-governmental organizations.
During the farewell ceremony, AFAD President Okay Memis announced that since 2016, Türkiye has provided nearly 60,000 tons of relief to Somalia, which is prone to cyclones, floods, famines, and droughts. He credited President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s support for these efforts.
Memis emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to assisting the underprivileged both domestically and internationally, acknowledging the vital contributions from donors and civil society members.
The shipment included 130,000 food packages, along with various food items, hygiene products, clothing, and materials for constructing shelters. Following the speeches, the ship set sail for the port of Mogadishu.
The event was attended by Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan, Turkish Red Crescent Vice President Ramazan Saygili, Provincial Director of AFAD Cenk Yildiz, and other officials.
According to recent UN reports, Somalia is in a dire humanitarian situation, with approximately 6.9 million people requiring aid due to various crises, including floods, cyclones, and food insecurity. The ongoing issues have disproportionately affected women and girls, highlighting the urgent need for assistance in the region. Turkey’s recent shipment of 3,000 tons of humanitarian aid is a significant contribution towards alleviating the hardships faced by Somalis, especially in light of these critical reports (UNFPA Somalia).
