Turkish Red Crescent's head called on humanitarian agencies Friday to extend a hand to millions of people facing starvation due to drought and famine in South Sudan, East African countries and war-torn Yemen.
Earlier this month, the Turkish Red Crescent launched an aid campaign “Be Humanity's Hope" to raise awareness about people suffering from the effects of drought in East Africa.
The International Organization for Migration has called for urgent action to help more than 20 million people facing famine in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and northeastern Nigeria. Kenya has also bee hit by a drought.
Kerem Kinik of the Turkish Red Crescent told Anadolu Agency on Friday that up to 30 non-governmental organizations had already joined their campaign.
“Firstly we intend to supply needed urgently medicines by cargo planes. Then we will provide these regions with food supplies via ships," he said.
“In South Sudan, 3 million people have been displaced and no one is given health service. In Yemen 13,000 injured are waiting for treatment. We are trying to distribute humanitarian aid to these regions," he added.
On March 4, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a series of tweets called for participation in aid campaign.
