PRCS President, Dr. Younis Al Khatib, receives Turkish Red Crescent President and Deputy Turkish Consul in Jerusalem

PRCS President, Dr. Younis Al Khatib, receives Turkish Red Crescent President, Dr. Kerem Kinik, Deputy Turkish Consul in Jerusalem and the accompanying delegation in the Society's HQ.

In this meeting, Dr. Al Khatib explained the humanitarian conditions of the Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian Territory (oPT) and all the violations committed by the Israeli occupation towards them. 

He also highlighted the health and social services the PRCS provides to Palestinians in the Diaspora in Syria and Lebanon and oPT through its tens of hospitals, clinics, and social and health facilities.   

Both parties discussed means of furthering the cooperation between the two national societies in order to reinforce the resilience of the Palestinians.  

The delegation visited in the next day the Gaza Strip to get familiar with the health and humanitarian conditions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the services offered to them by the PRCS.  

The Turkish delegation was welcomed by Dr. Bashar Murad, Deputy PRCS’ Director General in Southern Governorates as well as by several PRCS’ department directors. A meeting was then held to discuss furthering cooperation between the two National Societies in the health and humanitarian fields. Talks also covered improving services provided by PRCS’ Al Quds Hospital and restoring PRCS’ Central Warehouses in the Gaza Strip. Aspirations, needs and obstacles facing the Palestinian Society’s work in the Gaza Strip were underlined.

He highlighted the deep ties that exist between both Societies and lauded the role played by the Turkish Red Crescent in supporting and building PRCS’ capacities. Dr. Mourad also underlined the importance of furthering cooperation to help provide the best health and relief services to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation on the Strip, he added, has led to shortages in fuel, electricity and medicine and creates serious obstacles that hinder PRCS’ medical and humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Kınık affirmed that his Society was keen on building the resilience of Palestinians and enhancing PRCS’ capacities in the Gaza Strip to enable it to meet local needs. He commended the important role played by PRCS in the humanitarian and health fields, especially in terms of relief efforts, the distribution of aid and the provision of medical treatment via the Society’s hospitals and clinics in the Strip.

The Turkish delegation, accompanied by Dr. Mourad, then delivered humanitarian aid to hundreds of disadvantaged Palestinians. Visits were also paid and aid delivered to a number of poor families in Beit Hanoun, Jabalia and Gaza City with a view to alleviating their suffering.

End.