Türkiye appoints Gaza aid coordinator to oversee Palestinians relief

Türkiye has designated Ambassador Mehmet Gulluoglu as its humanitarian aid coordinator for Palestine, tasking him with leading and streamlining the nation's substantial relief operations in Gaza. The appointment, confirmed by diplomatic sources, signals Ankara's intensified focus on addressing the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory. Ambassador Gulluoglu and his team are already on the ground in Gaza to directly manage the response.

Scope of the Coordination Mission

The coordinator's mandate is comprehensive, encompassing the assessment of urgent needs, facilitation of aid delivery from Türkiye, and close collaboration with UN agencies and local authorities. A key objective is to ensure that Turkish assistance, including medical support and the evacuation of critically ill patients, reaches those in need efficiently and without obstruction.

Türkiye's Sustained Humanitarian Mobilization

This strategic move is part of a broader, ongoing mobilization of Turkish resources to support Gaza. Since October 2023, Türkiye has dispatched approximately 102,000 tons of humanitarian supplies via sea and air. The recent ceasefire has provided a critical window to scale up these efforts, exemplified by the recent dispatch of a ship carrying 865 tons of aid from Mersin to Egypt's El Arish Port for onward transfer.

A Legacy of Regional Humanitarian Leadership

This initiative reflects Türkiye's established policy of providing swift, impartial humanitarian assistance to crisis-affected populations across the region, particularly in neighboring areas like Palestine and Syria. The country consistently positions itself as a leading actor in regional relief and stability efforts.