It was announced that 115 billion liras were collected: 85 billion 697 million liras were collected

Republican People's Party (CHP) Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer submitted a written parliamentary question to the Ministry of Interior regarding the funds collected from the aid campaigns launched following the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, which caused more than 50 thousand deaths and massive destruction across 11 provinces.

CHP Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer recalled in his motion that the 'Turkey One Heart' campaign, launched to provide aid to the region following the major earthquake, was broadcast live on almost all TV channels on the evening of February 15.

"A TRANSPARENT STATEMENT MUST BE MADE AGAINST MISINFORMATION"

Pointing out that various rumors have emerged in the public sphere regarding the aid campaign, CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer stated, “Answering the following questions in order to share information transparently will ensure the public is informed. The answers to be provided are also quite valuable in terms of the effectiveness and reliability of social aid campaigns and in preventing the misinformation currently being experienced.”

IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT 115 BILLION LIRAS WERE COLLECTED

The written parliamentary question submitted by CHP Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer for response by Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya consisted of the following questions:

“Following the live broadcast regarding the campaign, the amount of donations pledged was stated as 115 billion 146 million 528 thousand liras. Has the pledged amount regarding the total donations after the campaign been reached?

Was the pledged donation amount collected during the campaign process, and where was it utilized?

What is the total amount of aid collected to date from individuals, companies, institutions, and organizations regarding the earthquake covering 11 provinces? Are the amounts collected in a single account (AFAD) or in multiple accounts? How is the distribution managed?

Have the individuals or organizations that made pledges during the campaign but did not make the donations been identified? If they have been identified, will an explanation be provided regarding why these individuals or organizations did not make the payment?

Will the public be informed about how and in which areas the donations obtained during the campaign process will be used?

Are the necessary audits, controls, and inspections being carried out in the earthquake region regarding the transparency and accountability of the process, especially concerning cash aid?”

85 BILLION 697 MILLION LIRAS COLLECTED

Responding to CHP Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer's motion, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya recalled that the 'Turkey One Heart Campaign' was launched on February 15 via a joint broadcast of TV channels to meet the food and shelter needs of citizens affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes, and announced that 85 billion 697 million 129 thousand 344 TL in donations had been collected within the scope of the campaign.

"THE COLLECTED MONEY IS IN AFAD'S ACCOUNTS"

Minister Yerlikaya stated that donation deposit processes are ongoing and announced that the amounts deposited by donors within the scope of the campaign are being held in accounts opened in the name of AFAD at public banks.

"COMMUNICATIONS CONTINUE WITH THOSE WHO PLEDGED BUT DID NOT DEPOSIT THE MONEY"

Minister Yerlikaya also stated that individuals and organizations who made pledges but have not yet made their donations have been identified, and emphasized that the communication process to complete the donations is ongoing.

"56 BILLION LIRAS SPENT"

Stating that 56 billion 563 million 536 thousand 392 liras of the collected donations have been used to date for household payments, death benefits, moving expenses, rent payments, tents, containers, toilets, and the purchase of food and hygiene packages for disaster victims in the earthquake region, Minister Yerlikaya noted that container city installation and social facility projects are continuing.

"UNDER COURT OF ACCOUNTS AUDIT"

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya also announced that all donations collected and expenditure transactions within the scope of the campaign are subject to the audit of the Court of Accounts (Sayıştay), and that necessary audits and examinations are carried out at regular intervals in accordance with relevant legislation.

WHERE IS THE 30 BILLION LIRA DIFFERENCE?

CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer drew attention to the fact that there is a difference of more than 30 billion liras between the 115 billion liras claimed to have been donated and the 85 billion liras collected.

DONORS WHO HAVE NOT FULFILLED THEIR PROMISES FOR 10 MONTHS MUST DEPOSIT THE MONEY

Pointing out that more than 10 months have passed since the date of the campaign, CHP Deputy Gürer emphasized that the probability of individuals and institutions who have not yet deposited the money despite pledging it doing so in the future is low.

4 BANKS HAD PLEDGED 70 BILLION IN DONATIONS

Recalling that the Central Bank pledged 30 billion liras, Ziraat Bank 20 billion liras, Vakıfbank 12 billion liras, and Halkbank 7 billion liras in donations within the scope of the campaign, CHP Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer said, “The donation pledges made by these 4 public banks alone amount to approximately 70 billion liras. Additionally, Cengiz Holding had pledged 2.5 billion liras, Turkcell 3.5 billion liras, and Borsa Istanbul 2 billion liras. The donation amount of these 3 institutions also reaches 8 billion liras. When we add the 8 billion liras given by these three institutions to the donation amount given by the public banks, a figure close to the 85 billion collected already emerges. Considering that the collected amount is 85 billion liras, it means that many institutions, organizations, and individuals who pledged donations did not fulfill their pledges.”

News Source: 12punto