New scandal from Kızılay: Earthquake donations put into interest-bearing accounts

Kızılay, which drew public backlash for selling tents during the February 6 earthquakes, is back in the spotlight over a new controversial situation. According to information shared by CHP Kahramanmaraş Provincial Chair Ünal Ateş, a donation of 860,000 Euros (approximately 38.5 million TL) made by two major automobile manufacturers was put into an interest-bearing account instead of being transferred to Kızılay's headquarters.

Emphasizing that the Kızılay Istanbul Branch should have sent this donation to the headquarters in accordance with procedure, Ünal Ateş stated, "I am filing a criminal complaint regarding the legal dimension of this situation. We want to know where and how this money, which is the right of the earthquake victims, was spent."

According to the report by Evren Demirdaş from Sözcü, Ateş stated that the Kızılay Istanbul Branch acted in violation of donation regulations and said the following:

“We have the receipts showing that this donation was received and deposited into a state bank. However, this money was not transferred to the headquarters, contrary to regulations. It was kept in a foreign currency account until March 20, and then put into an interest-bearing account at Ziraat Participation Bank. While earthquake victims could not find bread, water, or tents at that time, Kızılay officials were organizing workshops in five-star hotels in Istanbul with these funds. This situation is unacceptable.”

GAZA AID ALSO DID NOT REACH ITS DESTINATION

Ateş alleged that Kızılay committed negligence and irregularities not only in earthquake donations but also in international aid. Stating that aid collected for Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Gaza was also not sent to the headquarters by the Kızılay Istanbul Branch, he said, "This branch is violating both its own regulations and the law. This situation was clearly identified during inspections conducted by auditors."

News Source: 12punto