Norway to donate $2.5 mln to Turkish Red Crescent

ANKARA/GAZİANTEP

AA Photo

Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende has announced that his country will donate $2.5 million to the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) in order to contribute to the assistance for Syrian refuges who have taken shelter in Turkey.

“I am pleased to announce that the Norwegian Government, via the Norwegian Red Cross, will provide NOK 15 million [approx. $2.5 million] to the Turkish Red Crescent. This is the third donation from Norway to Kızılay, and this support has now reached NOK 35 million [$5.9 million],” Brende said on May 27 during an official visit to Turkey.

After meeting with President Abdullah Gül in Ankara, Brende proceeded to Gaziantep where he met Mayor Fatma Şahin and representatives of humanitarian relief organizations that are receiving Norwegian funding in order to assist Syrian refugees.

Since 2011, Norway has donated over $200 million in humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Syria conflict.

“The international donor community has to keep up their support for the victims of the conflict in Syria, both inside the country and in neighboring countries. Turkey is a crucial partner in both aspects,” said Brende.

“Turkey is a key interlocutor in seeking a political solution to the crisis in Syria. I commend Turkey’s generosity and assistance to the large number of Syrian refugees who have sought shelter in Turkey. I have had the opportunity to visit the Nizip-1 camp today and to discuss Turkey’s humanitarian aid with Turkish colleagues,” he said.