Turkey to provide $1.5 million in health aid to Gaza

ANKARA

AFP photo

Turkey has said it has transferred $1.5 million to the WHO’s Palestine Representation in order to assist health institutions in Gaza. The announcement comes a day after Turkish and Israeli officials met in Geneva to normalize ties. 

A statement issued late on Feb. 12 by the Foreign Ministry said the financial aid was made upon the request of the Palestinians. 

“It’s envisaged that this amount of money will be spent for the fulfillment of the needs of 13 hospitals and 54 health centers in the first half of 2016,” read the statement. 

The statement also recalled that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Red Crescent were continuing to provide humanitarian aid, scholarships and technical assistance for water supply and school construction in Gaza.  

Israeli approval of Turkey’s unrestricted access to Gaza stands out as one of two remaining conditions before the normalization of ties between the two countries. 

A Turkish government spokesman recently said talks to normalize ties were ongoing but there was still no final agreement.