Turkish Red Crescent

The Turkish Red Crescent ( Kızılay Derneği Turkish Türkiye ) is the largest humanitarian organization in Turkey and as a national Red Crescent society in Turkey part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The Turkish Red Crescent Society was founded in the Ottoman Empire on June 11, 1868. The name Red Crescent ( Kızılay ) received the organization in 1935 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk after the founding of the Republic of Turkey. The first president of the organization was of Greek origin Marko Pasha.

Organization

History

The organization was founded in 1868 under the name Ottoman Yarali ve Hasta Askerlere Yardım Cemiyeti ( " Ottoman charity for wounded and sick soldiers "). There were a few name changes: In 1877 Osmanlı Hilal -i Ahmer Cemiyeti ( " organization Ottoman Red Crescent "); 1923 Türkiye Hilal -i Ahmer Cemiyeti ( organization of the Red Crescent in Turkey "); 1935 Türkiye Kızılay Cemiyeti. In 1947, the organization received its present name: ' Türkiye Kızılay Derneği.

Organizational structure

The Turkish Red Crescent is managed by a Board of eleven ( Yönetim Kurulu ). The current CEO is called Tekin Küçükali. In addition, a supervisory board ( Denetim Kurulu ) exist a Directorate General ( Genel Müdürlük ) and committees for women and youth. The headquarters of the organization is located in Ankara. Across Turkey Red Crescent has more than 650 branches. The supreme body of the Red Crescent is the General Assembly ( Genel Congre ), which is composed of delegates from the branches and the management bodies. The General Assembly meets annually in April.

Objectives

The Turkish Red Crescent Society defines its mission in the following words:

The seven principles of the organization were of the XX. International Red Cross Conference in Vienna in 1965 established: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality

Activities and financing

The Red Crescent is responsible for disaster relief, the organization of blood donation services, rehabilitation, health education and enlightenment. In addition, the organization provides grants. The Red Crescent receives no government funding and is financed through donations, membership fees, fundraising events and the sale of special stamps, etc.