Turkey: Ankara pledges more aid to Gaza

Turkish authorities have announced on Wednesday to keep their commitment for aid support to Gaza after the World Bank irritated Ankara for failing to fulfil its commitment made during the Cairo Conference in 2014.

Turkish foreign Minister’s spokesman, Tanju Bilgic indicated on Wednesday that his country has already planned $75.6 million aid to Gaza in 2015.

Turkey pledged during 2014 Cairo Conference for the reconstruction of Gaza following 2014 war between Gaza and Israel to provide a financial –tag of $200 million for the period of 2015-2017.

Mr Bilgic indicated that Turkey has already invested $1.5 million during 2015 as aid to Gaza and the total amount of continuing projects reached a total of $28.8 million through its Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Turkish Coordination Agency (TIKA) has planned $11.3 million for additional projects.

Further investments with a total amount of $34 million are projected to start in Gaza in 2015 by the Turkey’s emergency agency, AFAD, and the Turkish Red Crescent according to Tanju Bilgic.

Mr Bilgic opined that his country is meeting its commitment made in 2014 at Cairo Conference. “As is seen, our country is doing its part and is working without interruption to fulfill all the needs of our Palestinian brothers,” Bilgic said.

International and Gulf countries pledged financial support during the Cairo Conference that would help rebuild Gaza which was destroyed by Israeli 2014 51-day military campaign that killed more than 2,000 Palestinians most whom civilians and 73 Israelis mostly military forces.

Gaza strip received $76.3 million in aid from Turkey in 2014 and Turkish aid over the past decade totalled $369 million.