President Erdoğan wrote to El Pais: We will never give up.

19.08.2025 14:35

President Erdoğan wrote a special article for El Pais newspaper on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day on August 19. Erdoğan stated, "Although the global crises and geopolitical tensions facing the world make our humanitarian efforts more challenging, we will never abandon these efforts in any region where they are needed. Humanitarian aid is above politics; it is a matter of conscience."

President Erdoğan, in his article titled "Compassion Beyond Borders: Alliance of Civilizations and Humanitarian Diplomacy," written on the occasion of August 19 World Humanitarian Day, emphasized that humanitarian aid is a matter of conscience above politics; he highlighted that Turkey stands out as a country that extends a helping hand to the oppressed, regardless of their identity and beliefs, all around the world.

"THE MOMENTUM WE HAVE ACHIEVED WITH SPAIN IS OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE"

President Erdoğan's article titled "Compassion Beyond Borders: Alliance of Civilizations and Humanitarian Diplomacy," published in Spanish in El Pais, states: "Peace, security, and common prosperity are only possible through a mutual respect, justice, and sincerity-based understanding of cooperation among peoples. Turkey and Spain, as two ancient friends located at the two ends of the Mediterranean, share the same ideals as members of two strong civilizations. Today, the momentum we have achieved with Spain, in addition to our bilateral political relations, in the fields of economy, trade, energy, and defense industry, is of strategic importance for the stability of Europe-Mediterranean. Spain is one of our most reliable allies in NATO. The Patriot Air Defense System stationed in Adana is a concrete and strong expression of this. Spain's sincere support for our European Union (EU) membership process reflects the depth of our common goals. We are determined to crown this strategic partnership with strong steps we will develop together against regional and global challenges. In the 20th year of the Alliance of Civilizations, our understanding that considers differences as a source of wealth rather than a conflict factor sends a message of hope and solidarity to oppressed peoples during this period of global crises.

Wars, hunger, irregular migration, and climate disasters have confronted us with the heaviest test in human history. Today, on World Humanitarian Day, the bitter truth before us is that more than 300 million people are deprived of their most basic humanitarian needs. This picture is a truth that shakes the conscience of humanity and calls the whole world to responsibility. As Turkey, with our rich humanitarian aid tradition stemming from our history; the helping hand we extend in every geography, regardless of the identity and beliefs of the oppressed, is the strongest indication of our will to defend human dignity and make the voice of our conscience heard. In this sense, Spain is also a strong partner in this moral stance with its deep-rooted humanitarian aid tradition. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude once again to the search and rescue experts from Spain and all the aid volunteers, especially the Spanish doctors, nurses, and technicians working at the field hospital established by the Spanish International Cooperation Agency in Hatay Arsuz, following the earthquakes on February 6, which we described as "the disaster of the century."

"WE ARE ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD IN HUMANITARIAN AID"

As Turkey, we act with the understanding that "The pain of one is a common cry echoing in the conscience of all." With our understanding of humanitarian diplomacy, we are one of the most generous countries in the world in 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, was a turning point in confirming our position in humanitarian aid globally. With AFAD, TIKA, Turkish Red Crescent, Turkey Diyanet Foundation, and countless NGOs, we touch the lives of millions of people not only in times of crisis but also through long-term development and solidarity projects.

Turkey conducts its humanitarian aid activities selflessly in coordination with international organizations across a wide geography extending from Asia to Africa, from the Middle East to the Balkans and Latin America, in addition to our close geography such as Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon. Our country has not remained indifferent to the humanitarian crises in Africa from the past to the present. Our visit to Mogadishu in 2011 to draw attention to the severe drought disaster in Somalia and to show our solidarity with the brotherly Somali people resonated in the international community. Immediately after, we launched a humanitarian aid mobilization in cooperation with our public institutions and NGOs; we provided lasting solutions on the path to sustainable development with the irrigation systems we established.

"THERE WAS VACCINE AND MEDICINE SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 160 COUNTRIES DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC"

In Sudan, where according to UN data more than 30 million people are in need of humanitarian aid, we provided support with food, medicine, medical supplies, and firefighting equipment under difficult conditions. The Turkish-Sudanese Education and Research Hospital, opened with the contributions of TIKA in Nyala, operates as one of the important health institutions in the region. Our development activities aimed at sustainable agriculture in Sudan are also ongoing. In addition to our humanitarian aid to more than one million Rohingya brothers who sought refuge in Bangladesh due to the conflicts in Myanmar, we provide health services with the Turkish Field Hospital in Cox's Bazar, managed by AFAD since 2017. In Afghanistan, since 2022, we have been conducting shipments of food, shelter, medicine, and medical supplies under the name "Goodness Trains."

Without recognizing geographical distance, we have delivered our humanitarian aid as effectively as possible against natural disasters occurring in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we have supported sustainable development with agricultural projects. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we provided vaccine and medicine support to more than 160 countries, showcasing one of the most concrete examples of global solidarity. As a manifestation of our approach that combines humanitarian aid with a perspective of development and sustainability, we provide scholarship opportunities to thousands of students from developing countries in Turkey, and we preserve humanity's common memory through the restoration of cultural heritage sites and the education provided in this field.

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE GROUND FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE"

Recently, Israel's inhumane siege, starvation, and collective punishment policies in Gaza have trampled not only international law but also the conscience of humanity. The loss of more than 61,000 innocent lives since October 7 and the homelessness of more than 2 million people deprived of basic humanitarian needs has left a dark stain in history. Turkey has delivered more than 101,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza and has carried out a humanitarian mobilization exceeding 40 million dollars with its support to UNRWA. We will continue to be on the ground with all our means for the Palestinian people to achieve a free, dignified, and prosperous future.

Although the global crises, geopolitical tensions, and conflicts the world faces make our humanitarian aid activities more challenging, we will never give up on these efforts in every geography where they are needed. Because humanitarian aid is above politics; it is a matter of conscience. Humanitarian aid is the highest form of diplomacy born from deep empathy and human consciousness.

Turkey and Spain are two friends, strong allies, deeply committed to universal values on either side of the Mediterranean, one of the oldest civilization basins in the world. The disaster drills we conduct under the NATO umbrella, the humanitarian aid provided to irregular migrants, and the support we give each other in difficult times are concrete evidence of this brotherhood. The spirit of solidarity carries the two peoples beyond geography into a strong bond of hearts. Indeed, we sincerely believe that by joining hands in line with these common ideals, we will build a fairer world that centers on humanity and human values.