Kızılay Declared Mobilization Against Coronavirus

Kızılay has identified the outbreak of the Coronavirus as “disaster” and declared mobilization in order to support those in need. President of Kızılay Kerem Kınık to whom we’ve talked about their work concerning epidemic reminded that they recently started receiving the first plasma donation containing antibodies in the treatment of COVID-19 and said: “In order to reach more needy people, we need the support of our philanthropists. This is the day for solidarity.”

Would you please summarize the measures taken by Kızılay against the Coronavirus, as well as the new practices and social benefits you have put into operation? Has a corporate strategy and an action plan been prepared to combat COVID-19?

We had prepared our plans just before the coronavirus epidemic spreaded in Turkey. Since the first day, we continue to support both the state and those in need. We meet the needs of citizens and carry out information activities with approximately 30 thousand Kızılay volunteers including branches, representative offices, volunteers, members and employees across the country. We’ve also increased our social assistance activities within the plan.

We provide three meals a day for about 20 thousand people in the quarantine dormitories. We’ve distributed millions of meals. We’ve distributed more than half of the hygiene kits to 150 thousand families and food packages to 100 thousand families that we aimed to deliver. We also provide 400 TL cash support per family to 75 thousand families. We meet the needs of citizens over the age of 65 or who have chronic illnesses with our branches and volunteers.

1 million cans of fried meat prepared from eid qurban shares are also distributed to those in need throughout the country. We started disinfectant production for those in need. We also make an important contribution to the Ministry of Health. We produce tents for the field hospital of the Ministry of Health for use in case of need. We’ve also provided the coronavirus diagnostic capacity at the National Blood Bank Reference laboratories in Istanbul and Ankara to the Ministry of Health. We also support meeting the needs of healthcare professionals in university hospitals.

We have also been included in Vefa Social Support Groups. We have wealthy people who can make their own living. They only place their orders, and we do their shopping. We delivered aid to hundreds of thousands of people in need. For example, an elderly citizen even called us to walk his dog and we helped him as well.

Considering Coronavirus As “Disaster”

Which unit coordinates the activities carried out by Kızılay within the scope of combating coronavirus? Has a new unit been established for this purpose?

We’ve declared mobilization as an institution to support those in need. All our units act in a coordinated manner to deliver aid. All of our disaster specialists, public health specialists, branches, members, Young Kızılay organizations, volunteers, women’s branches, and headquarter units carry out their works in vigilance. We can describe this epidemic as a disaster. For this reason, our existing units have the ability to manage the operation. As a disaster-ready institution, we help our people under all circumstances.

Has the resources you allocate to combat the COVID-19 outbreak reduced the operational capability of Kızılay abroad?

Kızılay has a history of 152 years. The events it has witnessed among its history also strengthens its operational capability. While Kızılay conducts aid work in dozens of countries as well as our country, it also serves with its permanent representatives in 17 countries. Regardless of the aid efforts in our country, these permanent representatives work together with the Red Crescent or Red Cross associations with which they cooperate in the country they live in. Or, it helps people in need by financing other charities that do not go to those countries. We also plan the amount of aid activities we carry out in our country beforehand. We always keep our financial resources ready for emergencies thanks to our philanthropists not leaving us alone in this regard. When we consider these, I can say that the plans of all operations are separate.

Kızılay also participates in food aid for families in need with the Vefa Social Support Group. Can you tell us about the cooperation of Kızılay with other NGOs in the fight against corona?

The support of our philanthropists always enhances our power as an institution that conveys our nation’s helping hands to different parts of the world. Our successful relief efforts attract the attention of humanitarian organizations, countries and institutions abroad. Together with many institutions and organizations including NGOs, we conduct humanitarian activities and improvement projects for those in need. When it comes to helping those in need, Kızılay’s door is open to everyone.

“We Invite Those Who Are Cured To Be The Heroes Of Other Patients”

Kızılay received the first plasma donation containing antibodies for use in COVID-19 treatment. What activities does Kızılay carry out to increase blood donations in the treatment of patients with Corona?

Our Ministry of Health has shared the information of our cured patients with us. We will go to that 10 provinces with the highest rate of recovery where these people are. Donations will be received at our centers in Istanbul, Gaziantep, Trabzon, Izmir, Ankara, Adana, Bursa, Samsun, Antalya and Denizli. Our number of recovered patients will increase geometrically in the coming days, especially in these 10 provinces. As the amount of tests we perform increases, those who have survived the disease without symptoms will be identified. We will have reminders for them to donate plasma. With our current capacity, we can receive plasma from 750 donors a day. Our donors who want to donate blood can donate after contacting us if their conditions will be suitable. We invite all our recovered heroes to be the heroes of other patients fighting at the front.

Do you have any messages for citizens, donators and for those who request help?

I want to remind our citizens once again that we will survive this as we had survived every disaster. Let our citizens abide by the rules. May they keep the social distance. I would like to state that our support will always continue to those in need. Kızılay volunteers meet the needs on the field without ceasing. In order to reach more needy people, we need the support of our philanthropists. This is the day for solidarity.