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The Turkish Red Crescent on Saturday sent its 19th “Ship of Goodness” carrying around 1,300 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza from Mersin International Port.
Humanitarian assistance to Gaza has accelerated following the ceasefire, with Türkiye continuing its support efforts.
Prepared by the Turkish Red Crescent with contributions from Kosovo, the shipment includes food, hygiene supplies, clothing and blankets.
A send-off ceremony was held at the port, attended by officials and representatives of aid organizations.
Turkish Red Crescent Board Member Kamil Karadeniz said the ship carries not only aid supplies but also the compassion and responsibility of the Turkish people.
He noted that more than 18,000 tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered to Gaza so far, creating what he described as an uninterrupted bridge of hope from Türkiye.
Karadeniz said Red Crescent soup kitchens have provided hot meals to 35,000 people daily under difficult conditions, with more than 8 million meals distributed to date.
Karadeniz added that previous aid shipments sent under the coordination of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) included sacrificial meat cans that reached nearly every family in Gaza.
Kosovo’s Ambassador to Ankara, Agon Vrenezi, said Kosovo contributed €500,000 ($586,850) to the aid mission in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent.
Vrenezi described the shipment as a sincere act of solidarity with civilians in Gaza facing uncertainty and loss, stressing that humanitarian aid reflects a shared belief in human dignity and responsibility.
Following prayers at the ceremony, the ship departed Mersin.
It is expected to arrive at Egypt’s El-Arish Port, where the aid will be unloaded and transported onward to Gaza.
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