Turkish Red Crescent names former chief Kınık as 'Goodness and Mercy Ambassador'

The Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) has named its former chief Kerem Kınık as “Goodness and Mercy Ambassador.” Kınık resigned from his post at Kızılay in May after the sale of tents to charity Ahbap during the post-earthquake period drew ire.

Wednesday August 02 2023 02:17 am

Duvar English

Three months after his resignation, the Turkish Red Crescent (“Kızılay”) named its former chief Kerem Kınık as “Goodness and Mercy Ambassador.”

During their meeting, the Red Crescent Board of Directors accepted the article that “Covering all expenses incurred within the scope of national and international activities that Kerem Kınık will carry out by giving him the title of 'Goodness and Mercy Ambassador',” the daily BirGün reported on Aug. 1.

The board also decided to carry out the necessary communication and promotion works by the Corporate Communications and Promotion Directorate for Kınık after his new title.

Kınık on May 12 resigned from the chairmanship of the Red Crescent three months after controversy emerged over the selling of tents to charity Ahbap in the first days after devastating earthquakes in Turkey.

Citizens asked why it did not distribute the tents for free at a critical time, questioning what the organization has been doing with their donations.

At the time, Kınık argued that “the cooperation between the Kızılay and Ahbap is moral, rational, and legal. Anyone who claims otherwise either does not understand the issue or is malicious.” He said the Ahbap purchased the tents “at the production cost.”

Kınık resigned after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on May 11 he had been "saddened" by the Red Crescent selling tents.

After his resignation, Fatma Meriç Yılmaz was elected as the new chief at the Extraordinary General Assembly.