19th Goodness Ship departs Turkey carrying 1,300 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza
A send-off ceremony was held at the Port of Mersin, attended by Turkish and foreign officials, aid workers, and representatives of donor organisations. Speaking at the event, Turkish Red Crescent Board Member Kamil Karadeniz said the ship carries not only aid supplies but also “hope, conscience, and human dignity.”
The 19th Goodness Ship, carrying approximately 1,300 tons of humanitarian aid prepared by the Turkish Red Crescent, departed Saturday from the southern Turkish port city of Mersin. This is in efforts by Turkiye to continue with its relief efforts for Gaza following the recent ceasefire.
Loaded primarily with food, hygiene supplies, clothing, and blankets, the vessel is expected to arrive at Egypt’s Port of El-Arish, where the aid will be unloaded before being delivered onward to Gaza.
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The shipment also includes contributions from Kosovo, reflecting growing international cooperation in humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
A send-off ceremony was held at the Port of Mersin, attended by Turkish and foreign officials, aid workers, and representatives of donor organisations. Speaking at the event, Turkish Red Crescent Board Member Kamil Karadeniz said the ship carries not only aid supplies but also “hope, conscience, and human dignity.”
Karadeniz said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has persisted for more than two years, has deeply affected the conscience of the global community.
“By delivering more than 18,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the region so far, we have built an uninterrupted bridge of hope from Turkiye to Gaza,” he said.
He added that the organisation’s soup kitchens in Gaza continue to produce hot meals for 35,000 people daily under extremely difficult conditions.
“The more than 8 million meals we have distributed to date have carried the compassion of our nation to the heart of Gaza. The cans of sacrificial meat we sent on our previous Goodness Ships, which departed under the coordination of AFAD (Turkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority), have reached Gaza.”
Thanking donors and partner countries, Karadeniz expressed special appreciation to the people of Kosovo for their support.
“In every shipment we deliver to Gaza, there is the conscience of the Turkish nation, the labour of our philanthropists, and hope rising from prayers,” he said, pledging that the Red Crescent would continue its efforts with the same determination.
Kosovo’s ambassador to Ankara, Agon Vrenezi, also addressed the ceremony, describing the aid as a sincere act of solidarity with Gaza’s civilians, who he said are struggling to survive amid uncertainty and loss.
He announced that Kosovo has contributed $580,000 (€500,000) to the mission in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent.
Vrenezi emphasised that humanitarian assistance is not merely about numbers or logistics, but reflects a shared belief that human dignity transcends circumstances.
“Behind this effort lies not only organisation, but a strong sense of humanity and shared responsibility,” he said.
Following a prayer at the ceremony, attended by Mersin Deputy Governor Murat Cagri Erdinc and other officials, the 19th Goodness Ship was officially sent on its way with its precious cargo.
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