Turkey's AFAD to propose intl body for sustainable aid

ANKARA

Turkey’s top disaster management body plans to push for the creation of an international organization for sustainable aid during the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul next week.

Fuat Oktay, head of the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), told Anadolu Agency of his plans for the historic summit.

“During the summit, we will propose burden-sharing for the Syrian crisis, creation of an international body for sustainable aid, and acceptance of Turkey’s open-door policy by all countries,” Oktay told Anadolu Agency.

The summit, spearheaded by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and organized by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), is aimed at discussing humanitarian issues in detail.

Oktay said that during the summit, participants will decide on the future of humanitarian aid.

Turkey is ready for the high-profile summit, which will see up to 5,000 participants, including statesmen, businessman, NGO representatives, international agencies, and representatives of communities affected by refugee crises.

Turkey currently hosts 2.7 million Syrian refugees, as well as hundreds of thousands from troubled states such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Turkey is currently home to the world’s largest refugee population, and it has spent $10 billion on the refugee crises on its soil since 2011.

AFAD single-handedly coordinates all services for Syrians taking shelter in Turkey from the Syrian civil war.

Oktay stressed that thanks to AFAD, Turkey has changed from being the recipient of aid to a country that helps other countries around the world.

His organization has helped at least 50 countries faced with flood, famine, and fire in five different continents, according to Oktay.