By Diyar Guldogan
ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Red Crescent is modernizing its internal structure in order to make it "more effective", the head of the aid body Kerem Kinik told Anadolu Agency.
He added the Turkish Red Crescent was transforming all its processes into a more "transparent" and "accountable" model.
"We're going through a process of change management and development within the institution. We aim to adapt ourselves to today's conditions and needs, and future trends to reach our latest vision," said Kinik on Thursday in the capital Ankara.
The Turkish Red Crescent is working on technology to more transparently share with the public the work it does and the support it requires.
"Hopefully, in the near future we will say: 'If you donate money to the Red Crescent, you can instantly follow your donation with a tracking code ticket we’ll provide you'," he said.
Kinik added the Red Crescent will be even more pro-active with the new system in national and international humanitarian affairs.
He said both Turkey and non-governmental organizations had faced a "painful" reality during the devastating 1999 Marmara earthquake, which left at least 17,000 people dead and 50,000 injured.
"Hence, these transitions takes place to stay relevant and effective in our humanitarian work. It is our people who demand this transition and we are responsible to stay relevant and effective to serve" he added.
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Kinik said people want an institution that is more active and can work within a wide geography to alleviate the suffering of affected populations.
"Information technologies offer us vital contributions in preparing for disasters, mitigating the risks pre-disaster and the rescuing of people post-disaster and responding to their needs," he added.
Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent had revised its capacity to respond to disasters and mitigate risks.
Kinik said Turkey's ongoing Operation Olive Branch that was launched on Jan. 20 to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin, northwestern Syria, is being conducted for humanitarian reasons.
"The operation is to provide protection and freedom of movement to people in that region, to remove terror threats directed against our country and humanity and to ensure people live in their territories in dignity," he added.
Kinik added the Turkish Red Crescent was acting as a "auxiliary humanitarian actor" of the operation, helping the government and Turkish Armed Forces to rapidly deliver humanitarian aid, to protect civilians in the region and treat them.
He specified that in Syria 88 state hospitals out of 92 are out of service due to destruction and 70 percent of the medical staff had left the war-torn country since the start of civil war early 2011.
"Today, we try to provide people with health care service in that region," Kinik said.
Kinik said the Turkish Red Crescent provides monthly cash support to 1.3 million foreigners in Turkey, including Syrians, for them to meet their most pressing needs such as food and shelter and also provides conditional cash support for education to 250,000 Syrian students go are enrolled in and attends the school.
Turkey, as the largest refugee hosting country in the world, hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees.
Kinik also highlighted that contrary to popular belief, as a non-governmental organization, the Turkish Red Crescent does not receive government funding.