Turkey due to start humanitarian assistance in Somalia

The government of Turkey responding to government’s appeal of delivering immediate support to the people affected by the prolonged drought in South and Central Somalia has imported food aid aimed at coping with the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.

Turkish owned ship loaded with tones of food aid reached Mogadishu sea port on Monday.

Turkish Red Crescent officials told the media that the food aid will be delivered to all regions of the country affected by the drought.

Mustaf Yilmaz, head of Turkish Red Crescent said this aid is part of Turkish plan to assist Somali population facing humanitarian situations across the country.

Turkey is a key ally of the Somali government, Its vast humanitarian aid effort at the height of the 2011 famine saved the lives of many Somalis in the country.

Turkey has also launched developmental projects in the country particularly Mogadishu building Schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

Also the presence of TİKA (the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency), the Turkish Embassy and Turkish Airlines are great symbols of the strong relationship between Somalia and Turkey.

Erdoğan, the current president of Turkey has taken a personal interest in Somalia becoming the first non-African leader to visit Mogadishu in nearly 20 years, when he traveled there in 2011 Since then, Turkey has been providing aid much of it from private companies.