On the second anniversary of the devastating earthquakes that struck 11 Turkish provinces on February 6, 2023, Cengiz Kurtaran, President of the Hope Caravan Foundation, called on the government to redirect resources to address pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza.

During his visit to earthquake victims in Adıyaman—a region that continues its slow but steady recovery—Kurtaran highlighted the urgent need for empty shipping containers in the besieged territory.

Speaking at an event commemorating the tragedy that claimed over 50,000 lives, Kurtaran acknowledged the significant progress made in rebuilding the earthquake zone. "In the past two years, we have delivered 201,580 houses, including over 169,000 residential homes, 149 workplaces, and 32,260 village houses," he noted, adding that the target is to deliver nearly 453,000 houses by the end of 2025. Despite these impressive achievements, Kurtaran stressed that resources should not go to waste.

"There are empty containers in the earthquake region—containers that are being handed over to recycling companies and may eventually be wasted," Kurtaran said. "Instead, we can put them to immediate and impactful use by sending them to Gaza. This will help fill a big gap and provide urgent relief to our brothers and sisters living under harsh conditions." The Hope Caravan leader, echoing the deep solidarity with the Palestinian people, explained that these containers could be swiftly transported by sea, offering critical support to those in need.

Kurtaran’s appeal comes at a time when Gaza continues to suffer from severe shortages and infrastructural challenges. "Sending containers to Gaza is not just a logistical move—it is a humanitarian imperative," he asserted. "Our families in the earthquake zone have been able to settle in their new homes, and now, these empty containers can be repurposed to help alleviate the suffering in Gaza. We stand ready to assist with transportation and related expenses, ensuring that this aid reaches its destination without delay."

The call from the Hope Caravan is being viewed as a significant gesture of international solidarity with the Palestinian people. Advocates for Palestinian rights have long emphasized the critical need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, where ongoing blockades and repeated conflicts have left the population vulnerable. By redirecting resources that might otherwise be lost, Kurtaran’s proposal offers a practical solution to support the people of Gaza while reinforcing the bonds of brotherhood and humanitarian cooperation across borders.

As Türkiye continues to recover from the devastating earthquake, local NGOs and international human rights organizations are closely watching developments. The Hope Caravan’s initiative underscores the belief that, even in the midst of rebuilding a nation, there remains a moral obligation to extend help to those in desperate need—especially in regions like Gaza, where the call for justice and humanitarian relief grows louder by the day. (ILKHA)