Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Stating that they have brought the urgent humanitarian aid to the region after the earthquake, TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said they would provide support for zero-interest credit totaling 25 million TL as well as donating 1 million TL.

Stating that the credit that would be utilized by the establishments in Van and other earthquake affected counties, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “There will be no expenses at all for the establishments. TOBB will be taking over all expenses necessary for the credit loans taken on regarding this disaster by the establishments in the region. The establishments will be able to take on loans of at least 10,000 TL and 75,000 TL at most.”

Stating that they have, at first, addressed the urgent necessity requests from the region, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they support the “Sacrifice Aid Campaign for Van” campaign by the Directorate of Religious Affairs.

Reporting that the 74 million have come together immediately after the earthquake, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the wounds would be healed in the shortest possible time with all the capabilities of the state and the help of its citizens. Hisarcıklıoğlu provided information on a 6 clause list of aid that they have either implemented or plan to implement regarding the Van earthquake:

1. Urgent necessities have been addressed rapidly
Aid convoys have been scrambled by TOBB and Chambers/Exchanges in order to address urgent humanitarian necessities soon after the earthquake.
In this regard, the aid which have been delivered to the earthquake zone are:
* Support for the construction of 50 earthquake houses, 75 heated tents, and allocation of resources for the construction of 150 earthquake houses.
* 34,000 blankets
* 4,000 (catalytic/electric) heaters
* 2,500 winter jackets
* 3,000 winter boots/shoes
* 320,000 diapers
* 410 tons of water
* 350 tons of food (milk, baby food, tea, sugar, dry food)
* Various aid worth totaling 600,000 TL (various clothes, foods, hygiene products, blankets, etc.)

2. TOBB and Chamber/Exchanges donate monetary aid of 2.5 million TL
There has been monetary aid donated since day 1 in cooperation with official institutions in order to address urgent necessities and the housing problems of citizens. In this regard the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey has made a donation of 1 million TL. Chambers and Exchanges have also donated into TOBB’s and Prime Ministry’s aid accounts a sum of 1.5 million TL.
The total sum of monetary aid as of 31.10.2011 by TOBB and Chambers/Exchanges has reached 2.5 million TL.

3. Zero-interest credit for the companies in the earthquake region
It is vital that social and financial life return to normal as soon as possible in the regions affected by the earthquake. As economic life has come to a standstill in the quake zone, support to revitalize economy of the region is required.
In accordance with the agreement between TOBB and Turkey İş Bank, zero-interest credit loans will be made available to establishments in Van and Erciş. TOBB has allocated 25 million TL in resources to this end.
The establishments will not be charged for anything other than the actual credit. TOBB will be covering all expenses and interest related to the loans.
Companies will be able to take on credit on a 12 month period for minimum sums of 10,000 TL and 75,000 TL maximum.
The loans can be paid back with the option of no payments for the initial three months after which they can opt to pay equal monthly payments for 10 months or 4 payments every 3 months.
Establishments will be able to apply for this credit loan until the end of work hours on Friday December 30th, 2011. Application to an İş Bank branch in the region is necessary to take advantage of said credit.

4. Sacrifice Aid to Van
We support the Directorate of Religious Affairs’ campaign to address the food needs of our citizens dealing with the wounds of the quake. As part of the campaign, we are directing members of TOBB and Chambers/Exchanges to this campaign.

5. TOBB will finance the construction of a sports hall in Van
The restoration of the order of social life in the quake zone is instrumental to the healing of the wounds caused by the quake to the development of our children and youth.
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey had come to an agreement with the Turkey Basketball Federation to build a sports hall as part of the 2010 World Basketball Championship sponsorship.
Now, it has been decided that the sports hall financed by TOBB will be constructed in Van.

6. The Call to Unity Platform has started an aid campaign for Van
The Call to Unity Platform, supported by 145 professional organizations, syndicates, confederations and associations along with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, has initiated an aid campaign for Van. TOBB has donated a sum of 1 million TL to start off the campaign. Donations collected will be deposited to the Prime Ministry AFAD accounts as per the 2011/16 Prime Ministry regulation.
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