Continuing its activities as the helping hand of Anatolia in many areas, especially in crisis regions, Cansuyu Association aims to reach all victims and needy people in Ramadan this year as well.
We talked to Cansuyu Association President Mustafa Köylü about the humanitarian crisis, especially during Ramadan, and the main theme of aid activities.
1- Cansuyu Association has been reaching oppressed geographies for many years. What would you like to say about your help?
Since 2005, we have been trying to reach the oppressed and needy all over the world. We strive to deliver aid to the geographies where the persecuted people live in order to alleviate their suffering. Over the years, both the grievances and oppressions in the world have increased and there has been an increase in the areas to which we have sent aid. Of course, since our association grows and develops every year, we increase the number of areas we help. In other words, we are increasing the number of countries to which we send aid. We are trying to help more people. Our motto in this regard is: 'Wherever there is pain and tears, Cansuyu Association has to exist there'. We continue to work in the direction of this slogan.
“INTENSE REQUEST FOR FOOD AID WITH THE PANDEMIC REACHED US”
2- With the pandemic, many activities around the world came to a standstill. How was the interest of people in aid in the 3-year period during which the pandemic continued?
The pandemic has really hampered many humanitarian activities. It blocked working areas, blocked trade area, prevented international transfers, transits from country to country, many restrictions came. However, as the grievances increased in this process, we had to increase our efforts. Indeed, we have accelerated our aid efforts, regardless of those restrictions, but by complying with the health conditions. For example, we normally implemented a food distribution program only once every year before Ramadan, but we distributed food 4 times a year during the pandemic. We both increased the number and increased the number of distributions. Therefore, our teams continued uninterrupted distribution of food. We tried to eliminate the grievances of people who work daily and are deprived of their jobs. During the pandemic, food demand has arisen in a way we have never encountered before. We continued our work accordingly.
“OUR FOREIGN AID ACTIVITIES ALSO CONTINUED”
We applied the same system abroad. In places we could not go, we carried out these studies with the partners there. We have friends from Turkey who go to many countries and work, distributions were made under their supervision. In the meantime, of course, we had a concern because there was a contraction in the economy. We received twice the donations in previous years. A few things play a role here. In a study we conducted, our finding was as follows. In Turkey, people do 90 percent of the charity work themselves. They only do 10% through organizations. As people were deprived of dialogue during the pandemic process, there has been an increase in the orientation to institutions.
“WE AIM TO REACH 1 MILLION PEOPLE ALL YEAR”
3- Since the beginning of the pandemic, two Ramadans have passed. Now, the third Ramadan period has come. How was the interest in aid in the past Ramadan?
We spent two Ramadans. Indeed, we have continued to increase our distribution during the normal Ramadan months. We continued our work even after Ramadan. We are now in the 3rd Ramadan; Currently, our work and distribution continues. I hope we will continue to increase our distribution, which continues in Ramadan. Our goal is to reach 1 million people. We want to deliver food to 1 million people throughout the year.
“FOOD AID CONTINUES”
4- What kind of aid do you provide within the scope of Ramadan aids?
Food aid is what is sought so that people can fast more comfortably for 1 month during Ramadan. We also give people a 17-kilogram food package. In this package, we determine the material according to the monthly need of a family and give it. Apart from this, we distribute clothing non-stop. Companies donate trucks and trucks full of materials to us. We clothe the needy with them. All of our representatives are active in this regard. We have representatives in 75 provinces of Turkey. They all make these distributions on a regular basis.”