Davutoğlu, PM's wife to visit Arakan to deliver aid

Todays Zaman,

6 August 2012 / TODAYSZAMAN.COM,

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu will travel to Myanmar's Arakan province on Wednesday to deliver aid to Rohingya Muslims who have been forced to flee their homes on account of the violence there and who now face hunger, thirst and disease.

Erdoğan announced the plans during a TV program on Sunday night, stating that a delegation, including his wife Emine and daughter Sümeyye, will pay a visit to Arakan on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu will also join the delegation. The Prime Ministry has also recently launched an aid campaign for Rohingya Muslims. Releasing a notice that was published in the Official Gazette on Sunday, the Prime Ministry said thousands of Muslims from Arakan are seeking shelter as refugees in neighboring countries and that they are facing life-threatening conditions. “Turkey will provide all possible assistance and support for the Muslims of Myanmar during the holy month of Ramadan, when feelings of social solidarity and cooperation are strong, in line with the people's expectations. Therefore, an aid campaign has been launched by the Prime Ministry to this end,” the notice reads.