Bahrain is set to send much-needed blankets, tents and medical supplies to quake-hit Turkey from next week, it emerged yesterday.

The move follows the directives from His Majesty King Hamad to Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Representatives from the RCO and the Bahrain Red Crescent Society will accompany the first of a series of planes carrying the items over the Eid Al Adha holiday.

RCO secretary general Dr Mustafa Al Sayed, who is supervising the operation, said all efforts were being made in consultation with the Turkish authorities.

'Following the directive of His Majesty King Hamad, we met Turkey's deputy ambassador, Fikret Turkes, and Red Crescent Society secretary-general, Sadiq Al Shahabi,' he told the GDN.

'After consultation with the relevant authorities in Turkey, we decided that we should charter a number of planes for a series of airlifts of relief items to the people stricken by this disaster.”

'The Turkish authorities guided us to supply blankets, medical supplies and tents that are suitable for winter weather conditions. Arrangements are currently being made to purchase as many of these items locally, or in other GCC states, so that we can start airlifting them as soon as possible,” Al Sayed said.

'We hope to take off over Eid but the problem is that it is hard to find tents suitable to withstand the rains and sub-zero temperatures in this region. We are searching hard and co-ordinating with the Health Ministry on this. The Foreign Ministry is also supporting the campaign, to ensure the aid is handed over to the right people when we get there,' he added.

Dr Al Sayed will travel with the first plane, when it takes off, and says his mission was two-fold.

'I will travel along with a representative from the Red Crescent Society on the first plane,' he said. 'Not only will we be supervising the successful handover of the goods, but I will also be there to pass on a message of condolence and continued support on behalf of His Majesty to the Turkish people.'

Dr Al Sayed thanked the King and Bahrain's leadership for their commitment to the aid campaign.

Approximately 600 people have died and more than 4,000 others suffered injuries as a result of the earthquake, which measured 7.1 on the Richter scale when it struck on October 23.

Countries from around the world have joined humanitarian aid efforts to help the tens of thousands of people who have been left homeless as a result of the disaster. – TradeArabia News Service