Turkish Red Crescent to send humanitarian aid to Afrin
Humanitarian agency will focus on healthcare in northwestern Syrian region
By Duygu Yener
ANKARA
Turkish Red Crescent chairman said on Saturday that trucks loaded with humanitarian aid will be sent to northwestern Syria's Afrin in the coming days.
Turkey-backed forces on March 18, liberated Afrin's town center -- a major hideout for YPG/PKK terrorists during Operation Olive Branch.
Kerem Kinik told Anadolu Agency that displaced residents are returning to their homes and Turkish and international organizations are working for their wellbeing.
He added the Turkish Red Crescent will focus on the health sector, while infrastructure will be restored by other Turkish agencies.
"We are focused on giving extensive and un-interrupted healthcare to [people in] the region,” he said.
After Afrin is cleared of landmines and explosives, building of the infrastructure will commence, he said.
He added that Turkish waterworks authorities are working to provide clean water in the area.
In order to cater to nutritional needs of the people, Kinik said, mobile kitchens had been established and dry food had been distributed.
Kinik said a Turkish field hospital in Jarabulus city will be reinforced by two other hospitals in Al-Bab and Al-Rai, that will have a capacity of 50 and 200 beds respectively.
"We will also provide professionals to work at the hospitals," he said.
Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.
According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.
The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.
The military has also said that only terrorist targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming any civilians.
Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without a fight.
