Turkish Red Crescent helps Iraq’s displaced Turkmen

The Turkish Red Crescent humanitarian agency on Thursday distributed emergency aid to Iraqi refugees who had fled from Iraq's predominantly-Turkmen city of Tal Afar to the nearby Kirkuk province.

Goksen Yedigul, the Turkish Red Crescent's Iraq coordinator, told Anadolu Agency that winter clothing had been distributed to some 700 refugees in Kirkuk's Yahyava refugee camp.

Along with heavy winter clothing and blankets, the aid deliveries also included shoes and jackets for children, Yedigul said.

In a statement issued shortly afterward, Ali Mehdi, a spokesman for the Iraqi Turkmen Front, voiced his appreciation for the Turkish largesse.

"Turkey has helped us for years. Turkish relief agencies continue to provide full support to Iraqi refugees," he said.

One butcher from Tal Afar, who preferred not to give his name, said: "We can only survive with the Red Crescent's help. All of us benefit from the aid sent by Turkish relief agencies."