Turkish Red Crescent aids Greek Orthodox minority

ISTANBUL

The Turkish Red Crescent delivered 100 food packages to an Istanbul church as part of measures to combat the novel coronavirus, the aid agency said Thursday.

Altimermer Greek Orthodox Church in Istanbul’s historic Fatih district received the supplies of basic necessities that will be distributed to the city's Greek Orthodox minority community.

Red Crescent board member Ercan Tan said the packages contain hygiene as well as food and the aid group will continue operations around the world.

Stelyo Gulgun, the head of Altimermer Greek Orthodox Church Foundation thanked the Red Crescent for the supplies and said: “We have always seen your support.”

Senior pastor Yorgo Kasapoglu said the church has collaborated with the Red Crescent for the last five years and the supplies will be sent to those older than 65 who are prevented from leaving their homes because of the coronavirus measures.

Turkey has reported 117,589 COVID-19 cases with the death toll standing at 3,081.

After originating in China last December, the virus has spread to at least 185 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

The pandemic has killed nearly 229,000 people, with total infections exceeding 3.2 million, while more than 992,500 have recovered, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US.

*Writing by Handan Kazanci