Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked AFAD for its successful, selfless and life-giving work.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are doing their part on behalf of the business community for the forest fires and flood disasters that the country is suffering, and reminded that they started a fundraising campaign on August 3^rd to help heal the wounds.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have collected material and cash aid from 81 provinces in this context, and that chambers and exchanges, sector councils, women's and young entrepreneurs councils, business and citizens participated in the campaign.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they transferred the collected cash to AFAD today and stated that 50.5 million liras were raised within the scope of the campaign.

- “The aid collected reached 64.1 million liras”

Hisarcıklıoğlu noted the assistance they have made due to the disasters, “We sent 3.5 million liras to the Governorship of Artvin to be used for the urgent needs needed due to the flooding in Arhavi, and 5 million liras to the Antalya Governorate to be used for urgent needs due to forest fires in the Antalya region. In this context, the approximate amount of material aid sent to disaster zones is 13.6 million liras. Since the beginning of the disasters, the total of our material and cash aid has reached 64.1 million Liras.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they are also working with chambers and exchanges to prepare the Turkish business world for disasters, and in this context, they have formed an “Earthquake-Disaster Workgroup” with the heads of chambers and commodity exchanges within TOBB.

- Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu reminded us of disasters in different parts of Turkey.

Pointing out that the world is moving towards urbanization at great speed, Soylu said that this presents some problems.

Soylu explained what was done in the earthquake, fire and flooded areas and said that TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu gave the necessary support in the processes.

Minister Soylu stated that all chambers and commodity exchanges were mobilized in the same aid during the Elazığ earthquake.

Emphasizing that there is a strong network of humanitarians, Soylu noted that the state is also strong. Interior Minister Soylu said they would never abandon citizens to their fates.

Soylu stated that commissions were established after the fires and floods, and that business people came to them and expressed their demands. Süleyman Soylu reported that over 80 percent of the 1,861 vehicles without KASKO and insurance were also covered.

“A total of 961,351,000 Liras of aid has arrived so far,” Soylu said, noting that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is leading the fire and flood disaster relief campaign. Minister Soylu reported that Qatar and Kuwait are also supporting the campaign.

Soylu thanked TOBB for their donations to the campaign and noted that material assistance was also provided.

TOBB Board members, Antalya, Arhavi, Aydın, Bodrum, İnebolu, Kastamonu, Manavgat, Marmaris, Milas, Muğla, Silifke, Sinop, Tunceli and Van chamber and commodity exchange Presidents and İstanbul Chamber of Commerce, Ankara Chamber of Commerce, İstanbul Commodity Exchange, Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Istanbul and Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, Black Sea Regions Sea Chamber of Commerce, Ankara Chamber of Commerce Polatlı Commodity Exchange Presidents attended the meeting.

After the speeches, the chamber presidents were presented with a plaque thanking them on behalf of AFAD.