This effort, driven by a deep sense of solidarity with the Palestinian people, has spurred various charitable initiatives across the country, including charity stands and bazaars. One of the most notable events took place recently in the eastern city of Erzincan, where local volunteers gathered to raise funds and awareness for Gaza's beleaguered citizens.
For years, the Orphans' Foundation has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, especially in times of crisis. This latest campaign comes after the October 7 Aqsa Flood Operation, which sparked renewed aggression and violence in Gaza, intensifying the already dire conditions for its inhabitants.
The “Emergency Aid to Gaza” campaign marks a new chapter in the Foundation's long-standing relationship with Palestine, with plans to extend aid for at least a year under special permission. Through events such as charity bazaars, the organization is rallying Turkish citizens around a common cause: providing tangible support to those suffering from the ongoing genocide.
In Erzincan, a historic city nestled in the eastern part of Türkiye, the Orphans Foundation organized a two-day charity bazaar at Dörtyol Cumhuriyet Square. Volunteers and foundation members set up stands offering a variety of goods, from homemade food to handcrafted items, clothes, and toys. The public response was overwhelmingly positive, with local residents showing up in large numbers to contribute to the cause. The revenue generated from these sales will be directly sent to Gaza, helping to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the violence.
The charity bazaar in Erzincan exemplifies the spirit of community and generosity that has fueled the foundation’s humanitarian work. Speaking on behalf of the Orphans Foundation Erzincan Representative Office, Furkan Çoban expressed his gratitude to all those who participated. “I wish that our bazaar, which we organized to help our brothers and sisters in Gaza on the anniversary of the October 7 Aqsa Flood, will be instrumental in good deeds,” he said, highlighting the symbolic timing of the event.
Çoban’s words resonate with a deeper commitment to solidarity. He thanked both the volunteers who worked tirelessly to organize the event and the "sensitive citizens" who contributed to its success. Their collective efforts are not just about financial aid, but about standing united in support of a people whose struggles are often ignored by the global community.
In addition to raising funds, the Orphans Foundation uses events like the Erzincan bazaar as platforms to send a message of support to the Palestinian resistance. Çoban’s closing remarks were powerful and poignant, sending greetings to Gaza’s resistance fighters and the “more than 40 thousand martyrs” who have lost their lives in the ongoing struggle. He paid tribute to leaders like Ismail Haniyeh, acknowledging the resilience and defiance of those who continue to fight for Palestine's freedom.
“As the Orphans Foundation, we have never withheld our aid and prayers from this massacre, this genocide, in which all the world states have remained blind, deaf, and dumb,” Çoban declared. His words reflect a sentiment widely shared among many in Türkiye who feel that the international community has largely failed to address the severity of the situation in Gaza.
The Orphans Foundation’s efforts in Erzincan are just one example of the grassroots movements emerging across Türkiye in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. These charity bazaars and fundraising events reflect a broader societal commitment to humanitarian principles, driven by a shared sense of injustice and solidarity with the Palestinian people. Beyond financial aid, they symbolize a refusal to remain silent in the face of suffering.
This type of grassroots mobilization underscores the importance of local initiatives in responding to global crises. While political leaders and international organizations often struggle to find consensus or take meaningful action, ordinary citizens and small organizations like the Orphans Foundation are stepping up to provide immediate relief. Their efforts demonstrate how local communities can have a significant impact, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
The charity bazaar in Erzincan, organized under the banner of “Emergency Aid to Gaza,” is a testament to the enduring power of solidarity. As the violence in Gaza continues, initiatives like this offer hope not only to those directly affected by the conflict but also to those around the world who seek to contribute to meaningful change.
The Orphans Foundation’s work is far from over, and as Çoban stated, they will continue to send both aid and prayers to the people of Gaza. In a world where international responses often seem slow or ineffective, these grassroots efforts serve as a vital reminder that compassion and action can—and must—transcend borders. (ILKHA)