Turkish charity organization Kimse Yok Mu (KYM) has signed a landmark agreement with the Philippine government, paving way for close cooperation between the two entities to further aid, education and development efforts in the two countries.
With the agreement signed, Kimse Yok Mu and the Philippine government will cooperate in possible disasters both in Philippines and Turkey. Kimse Yok Mu’s search and rescue teams will also train Philippine search and rescue teams as part of the agreement.
The agreement follows a similar agreement Kimse Yok Mu signed with the African Union (AU) last month.
Earlier this month, the Philippine Army Civil Military Operations Command presented an “honor award” to Kimse Yok Mu for its aid activities and contributions to peace in the country.
Kimse Yok Mu received the award for the third time in the last three years for its food aid to people in need and for search and rescue efforts after Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines in 2013.
The Turkish charity was the first such organization from Turkey to send aid to the Philippines, which was struggling to recover after being hit by Typhoon Haiyan.
Kimse Yok Mu is the only aid organization in Turkey that holds UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) special consultative status and it began to develop internationally recognized relief programs in partnership with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2013. It was also awarded the Turkish Grand National Assembly Outstanding Service Award in 2013.
Published on Today's Zaman, 25 May 2015, Monday
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