Strengthened partnership with Turkey is vital for an effective humanitarian system, says Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos

(Ankara/New York, 19 December 2011) After a one-day mission to Turkey, Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos welcomed the opportunity to work more closely with Turkey in regional and international humanitarian affairs. As a key emergency responder and international humanitarian actor, Turkey continues to grow and develop in partnership with the United Nations and the international humanitarian system.

“The Government and people of Turkey play an important role in international humanitarian affairs,” said USG Amos in Ankara. “In addition to contributing generously to crises in Somalia, Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and elsewhere around the world, Turkey also engages actively in other key humanitarian response mechanisms such as the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).”

During her visit USG Amos met with H.E. Mr. Ahmet Davutoglu, Minister for Foreign Affairs and discussed ways of strengthening collaboration between OCHA and Turkey, and Turkish aid organizations, as well as the humanitarian situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. USG Amos also held fruitful talks with key partners including H.E. Mr. Ejder Kaya, Acting Director-General of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), H.E. Mr. Serdar Cam, President of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), and H.E. Mr. Ahmet Akar, President of the Turkish Red Crescent Society, on their work in humanitarian response in countries including Somalia and Sudan.

“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) values the role Turkey has played this year in response to the needs of people escaping violence in Syria and Libya,” said Valerie Amos. “I thank the people and the Government of Turkey for their generosity and solidarity with those in need of assistance in the region and across the world.”

“Turkey is playing an ever greater role in the international community,” said Ms. Amos. “It is vital that we build effective partnerships together if the United Nations and other organizations are going to rise to the challenge of meeting the needs of an increasing number of people affected by emergencies around the world.”