The train is bearing 500 tons of humanitarian aid -- 20 wagons carrying containers of 40 or 20 tons. As part of the aid campaign it began in the aftermath of the disastrous conditions in Pakistan, Kimse Yok Mu is continuing its efforts to provide humanitarian relief to flood victims there. Since Aug. 16 the association has been serving hot meals in the morning and evening to 3,000 people daily in the cities of Lahore and Peshawar. On Aug. 27 the organization sent off a plane laden with 43 tons of supplies to Pakistan, and the train is expected to convey the next batch of supplies -- gathered with the donations of the Turkish public -- to Pakistanis.
A ceremony to send off the aid was organized at the train station. Among participants were Pakistani Consul General in İstanbul Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Üsküdar Mayor Mustafa Kara, Kimse Yok Mu President Mehmet Özkara and many more volunteers and members of the public. Özkara spoke before the train departed, emphasizing that now was the time for Turks to extend a helping hand to their brother nation, Pakistan, and to be loyal to the people of that country. “The loyal Anatolian people are now doing the duty that falls upon them. They are sending aid to the Pakistani public as a result of this loyalty. The people of Anatolia show their love, generosity and feelings of fraternity by sending aid. We share the pain of our brothers,” he said. He noted that when Turkey had suffered disasters in the past, the Pakistani people always stood by them and sent aid as well. “Now it’s our turn,” he said.
For his part, Consul General Junaid expressed his pleasure at the eagerness of the Turkish public to aid Pakistanis, noting that nearly 21 million people had been affected by the deadly flooding.
