A Turkish aid group has successfully set up 400 libraries in areas liberated from YPG terrorists, the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, in northern Syria, while a Turkish aid organization sent 10 truckloads of humanitarian aid to civilians in the area.
In Jarablus, Afrin and Azaz, the Istanbul-based Iyilik (Goodness) Association has completed 400 of the planned 805 libraries, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported Tuesday.
The initiative called “Goodness Libraries” is also supported by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Education Ministry.
The aid group’s Gaziantep representative Cavit Karakaş told AA that children were euphoric about the initiative, which started last year.
“We’ve completed 400 libraries so far. Each of them has 100 books in Turkish, Arabic and Kurdish,” Karakaş said, adding that Iyilikder provides bookshelves and books, while the Turkish Education Ministry assists in selecting the schools and logistics.
The books on offer in libraries include children’s books, novels and more, including books translated to Arabic from Turkish. They have all been approved by Turkey’s Education Ministry, the representative noted.
Karakaş continued by saying that they will also open new libraries for children in the Syrian city of al-Bab.
He also noted that the project was just a start and that they aim to increase the number of books in libraries as well as prepare education programs and reading activities with the children.
Meanwhile, a Turkish aid group on Monday sent 10 truckloads of humanitarian aid to Syrian civilians in need in border regions near Turkey.
Yusuf Bülbül, the Kahramanmaraş representative of the Humanitarian Relief Organization (IHH), reported that they visited camps in Idlib, northern Syria in February and that the people living there urgently need food, water and shoes.
With support from benefactors and a company, 10 trucks carrying drinking water set off to help the people in need in camps in Idlib.
Idlib falls within a de-escalation zone forged under an agreement between Turkey and Russia.
