„Peace, security and shared prosperity can only be achieved through a spirit of cooperation based on mutual respect, justice and sincerity between peoples. Long-standing friends standing on both poles of the Mediterranean and members of two strong civilizations, Turkey and Spain defend the same ideals. Today, in addition to our bilateral political relations, the momentum we have gained with Spain in the fields of economy, trade, energy and defense industry is of strategic importance for Euro-Mediterranean stability". This was stated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an article titled “Compassion Beyond Borders: The Alliance of Civilizations and Humanitarian Diplomacy,” written on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day on August 19 and published in one of the leading Spanish newspapers, El País.
Spain is among our most reliable allies in NATO. The Patriot air defense system, located in Adana, serves as concrete and powerful proof of this. Spain’s sincere support for our accession process to the European Union (EU) reflects the depth of our shared goals. We are committed to elevate this strategic partnership with solid measures that we will develop together in response to regional and global challenges. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Alliance of Civilizations, our recognition of diversity as a source of wealth, not conflict, offers a message of hope and solidarity to oppressed peoples during this time of global crisis.
War, hunger, irregular migration and climate disasters have presented us with the most serious challenge in human history. Today, on World Humanitarian Day, the harsh reality we face is that over 300 million people do not have access to their most basic humanitarian needs. This is a truth that upsets the conscience of humanity and calls for the entire world to act responsibly.
As Turkey, guided by the extensive tradition of providing humanitarian aid rooted in our history, the helping hand we extend to every region – regardless of the identity or faith of the oppressed – is the strongest expression of our commitment to upholding human dignity. and giving voice to the conscience of humanity. In this sense, Spain is also a strong partner in this conscientious position with its long tradition in humanitarian aid.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude once again to all the volunteers who arrived after the earthquakes of February 6, which we call “The Disaster of the Century“, in particular to the search and rescue experts from Spain, as well as to the Spanish doctors, nurses and technicians working in the field hospital established by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation in Hatay Arsuz.
As Turkey, we act with the understanding that “The suffering of one is a shared cry that resonates in the conscience of all of us“. With our humanitarian diplomacy approach, we rank among the most generous nations in the world in terms of humanitarian aid relative to our gross national product. The United Nations (UN) World Humanitarian Summit, held for the first time in history in Istanbul in 2016, marked an important milestone in the global affirmation of our position in the field of humanitarian aid. Through AFAD, TİKA, the Turkish Red Crescent, the Turkish Diyanet Foundation and numerous non-governmental organizations, we touch the lives of millions – not only in times of crisis, but also through long-term development and solidarity projects.
Turkey carries out humanitarian operations with dedication, in close cooperation with international organizations, not only in our immediate region, including Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, but also in a wide geographical scope, spanning from Asia to Africa, from the Middle East to the Balkans and Latin America.
Our country has never remained indifferent to the humanitarian crises unfolding in Africa, in the past or present. Our visit to Mogadishu in 2011, aimed at drawing attention to the severe drought in Somalia and demonstrating our solidarity with the brotherly Somali people, resonated with the international community. Subsequently, we initiated the mobilization of humanitarian aid in cooperation with our public institutions and non-governmental organizations, providing lasting solutions for sustainable development through the irrigation systems we implemented.
We have expanded our support to Sudan by providing vital food, medicines, medical supplies and firefighting equipment in response to the difficult circumstances where, according to the UN, more than 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The Turkish-Sudanese Training and Research Hospital in Nyala, established with the support of TİKA, functions as a significant health institution in the region. In addition, we continue our efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in Sudan.
Since 2017, we have been providing health services through the Turkish Field Hospital in Cox's Bazar, which is managed by AFAD, in addition to our humanitarian assistance to over one million Rohingya brothers and sisters who have sought refuge in Bangladesh as a result of the conflict in Myanmar. Since 2022, we have been providing food, shelter, medicine and medical supplies in Afghanistan under the name “Trains of Kindness“.
We have supported sustainable development through agricultural projects and provided humanitarian aid in the most effective way possible in the face of natural disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean, regardless of geographical distance. In addition, we have provided assistance in the form of vaccines and medicines to more than 160 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus illustrating one of the most tangible examples of global solidarity.
We are protecting the collective memory of humanity by restoring cultural heritage sites and providing training in this field, and offering scholarships in Turkey to thousands of students from developing countries as a demonstration of our approach that integrates humanitarian aid with development and sustainability perspectives.
Israel's recent inhumane policies of siege, starvation and mass punishment in Gaza have trampled not only international law but also the conscience of humanity. The tragic loss of over 61,000 innocent lives and the displacement of more than 2 million people since October 7, deprived of basic humanitarian needs, mark a dark spot in history. Turkey has so far provided over 101,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza and has carried out a humanitarian mobilization worth over $40 million in support of UNRWA. We will continue to strive to remain actively engaged on the ground through all available means to ensure that the Palestinian people achieve a future that is free, dignified and prosperous.
Although the global crisis, geopolitical tensions and conflicts facing the world pose challenges to our humanitarian aid initiatives, we remain steadfast in our commitment to these efforts in every region where they are needed. Because humanitarian aid transcends political considerations, it is fundamentally a matter of conscience.
Humanitarian aid is the most modern form of diplomacy, stemming from a deep sense of empathy and humanity. Turkey and Spain are two friendly nations and steadfast allies, united in their commitment to shared universal values in the Mediterranean, a region rich in historical significance and cultural heritage. The disaster response exercises we conduct within the framework of NATO, the humanitarian assistance provided to irregular migrants, and the mutual support we provide in difficult times serve as tangible evidence of this brotherhood. The spirit of solidarity unites the two peoples in a deep bond that transcends geographical boundaries. We firmly believe that by cooperating in accordance with these shared principles, we will build a more just world focused on humanity and its values.