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A 360-ton humanitarian aid shipment sent by Türkiye for Lebanese families displaced by Israeli attacks has arrived in Beirut, carrying 38 containers of relief supplies, including blankets, mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags, tents, food boxes and emergency aid packages.
The shipment, prepared under the leadership of the Sadakatasi Association with contributions from the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, Yetim Foundation, and Yeryuzu Cocuklari Association, docked at the Port of Beirut.
The aid is expected to be delivered shortly to displaced families through Lebanon's Higher Relief Committee.
The humanitarian shipment reached the Lebanese capital as families displaced by Israeli attacks continue to face difficult conditions.
The 360-ton cargo includes blankets, beds, pillows, sleeping bags, tents, food parcels and emergency relief packages.
Officials said the supplies would be distributed to displaced families through Lebanon's Higher Relief Committee.
A reception ceremony was held at the Port of Beirut to mark the arrival of the aid.
Among those attending were Türkiye's Ambassador to Beirut Murat Lutem; Samir Haddara, representative of Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri; Administrative Development Minister Fadi Mekki; Public Works and Transport Minister Fayiz Rasmani; lawmaker Bilal Abdullah; Higher Relief Committee Secretary-General Bassam Nabulsi; and other guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Lutem said Lebanon needs assistance because of the conditions created by Israel's attacks and occupation.
"Türkiye is here to help," he said.
Lutem said Türkiye had previously extended support to Lebanon in 2024 and that Turkish state institutions and civil society organizations continue to stand by the Lebanese people.
He said the total volume of aid sent by Türkiye through various institutions has exceeded 1,700 tons so far and that more aid is on the way.
"Together we will overcome these difficult days," Lutem said, adding that just as Türkiye overcame the challenges of the major earthquake three years ago with the valuable help of Lebanese search and rescue teams, the same solidarity would help both sides through the current period.
He also stressed the importance of working together for peace and stability in the region and thanked those attending the ceremony, as well as IHH, for its work in Lebanon and around the world.
"Türkiye stands by Lebanon and will always continue to do so," he said.
Lebanese Administrative Development Minister Fadi Mekki said Türkiye's support came at a critical moment.
"Türkiye's support came at a critical time. This aid reflected sincere solidarity in Lebanon's struggle with its current challenges," he said.
Mekki thanked Türkiye for its support and said he hoped the aid would contribute to the dignified and safe return of displaced people to their villages and help extend state authority across all of Lebanon.
After the ceremony, Lutem told Anadolu that Türkiye has always stood by Lebanon through both state institutions and civil society organizations.
He said the aid delivered by Sadakatasi on this occasion was part of a broader and continuing effort.
"Today our Sadakatasi Association sent a major shipment, and another amount is again on the way from Sadakatasi," he said.
Lutem said that since 2024, the Republic of Türkiye has provided more than 1,700 tons of aid through official institutions, which he said showed how closely the Turkish people stand by their brothers and sisters in Lebanon.
He added that Türkiye has always helped people targeted by Israeli attacks in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and said the latest shipment was a new example of that broader approach.
"Other aid shipments will also come; preparations are currently continuing. Therefore, this aid will keep flowing, and it should," he said.
Lutem said Lebanon is going through a very difficult period but would emerge from it, describing the country as one with a very bright future, a rich and multidimensional cultural identity, and well-educated people.
He also recalled that more than 1 million people in Lebanon had been forcibly displaced because of Israeli attacks and said Lebanese families need assistance.
Lutem said Türkiye's aid to Lebanon would continue and that official institutions are working on a very comprehensive assistance package.
"I estimate that, probably in a period of 2 to 2.5 years, we will provide in a single time an amount similar to what we have provided over that entire period," he said.
Bilal Abdullah, head of the Lebanese parliament's Health Commission, said Türkiye's support for Lebanon was not new and had continued within a policy based on "reason, wisdom and solidarity."
He said he appreciated the aid that has continued since 2024 and added that these efforts had left a major impact on the conscience of the Lebanese people.
Abdullah thanked Türkiye for its support.
Higher Relief Committee Secretary-General Bassam Nabulsi also said they appreciated Türkiye's support at both the official and civil level.
He said various aid shipments had arrived recently and that another major shipment was expected soon.
Thanking Türkiye and the Turkish people, Nabulsi said, "I hope we can respond to Türkiye, its administration, and its people under better conditions than those we are experiencing in Lebanon today."
He said the aid is being distributed through a central mechanism via governors, taking into account the number of displaced people in each region in order to ensure fair distribution among those in need both inside and outside shelters.
Sadakatasi Association Chairman Kemal Ozdal said they stand by the Lebanese state and people.
He said that after delivering 1,000 tons of aid by ship to Lebanon in 2025, the group has now brought another 38 containers of assistance valued at about $3 million.
Ozdal said the aid would be distributed under the coordination of the Higher Relief Committee presidency and under the supervision of civil society organizations, municipalities and governorates.
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