The Turkish Embassy in Lebanon announced in a statement that, after the visit of Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to Ankara on February 1, 2022, “Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mobilized the Turkish authorities to increase humanitarian and technical aid to Lebanon, in order to contribute to its stability and security, and to alleviate the suffering of the country.” The people in the period in which Lebanon is facing several crises.
He revealed, “With the aim of supporting the role of state institutions in preserving Lebanon’s security and stability, the Turkish Ministry of Interior sent a comprehensive food aid package (basic foodstuffs that include flour, rice, legumes, and milk powder) for the benefit of all members of the security institutions (a total of 43,700 members of the Internal Security Forces and General Security). and State Security and Civil Defense of the Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities.In this context, Turkey delivered a total of 2,059 tons of food aid in four shipments delivered between March and December.
The embassy affirmed, “The Turkish Ministry of National Defense continued to support the Lebanese army in 2022. As an example of Turkey’s commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability, last April it delivered new donations of 80 tons of food aid and spare parts to the Lebanese army.”
She pointed out that “Turkey also attaches great importance to the well-being of the Lebanese people. In response to the request of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, the Turkish Ministry of Health delivered about 90 tons of medicines and medical supplies to meet the urgent needs of Lebanese government hospitals last August.”
The embassy pointed out that “in light of the dire circumstances faced by the Lebanese, Turkish non-governmental organizations have also mobilized their forces within the framework of the “Ark of Charity” project to meet the basic needs of the Lebanese people as well as the refugees in Lebanon. In coordination with the Presidency of Disaster and Emergency Management of the Turkish Ministry of Interior, the embassy gathered Turkish NGOs about 1,000 tons of basic foodstuffs (wheat flour, rice, cooking oil, legumes, etc.) for distribution through Lebanese local administrations and NGOs.The food aid transported by Al-Khair Ship to Lebanon reached 50,000 families in 96 different distribution sites all over Lebanon. Turkey has intensified its technical assistance to Lebanon.
She stressed that “as the main government agency in Turkey for channeling technical assistance to Lebanon, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) continues to meet the needs of the state institutions and the people of Lebanon. Having supported a total of 185 projects in Lebanon since 2010, TIKA has implemented only 31 projects.” in 2022 in a wide range of fields, including agriculture, energy, education, health, solid waste management and vocational training.
The embassy affirmed, “Recently, Turkey has begun to restore the current building used for the offices of the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants. Turkey is determined to continue its support for the Lebanese state institutions as well as the Lebanese people during the year 2023.”