In the first days after the earthquake, finding a tent was like winning the lottery. Our beloved Turkish Red Crescent (TRC), which we have always trusted unconditionally in every disaster, was busy selling tents.

When I reported this, everyone in Turkey said, “This can't be true.” Those who know me know that I stand by what I write. But many hoped it was false. I understand. However, when the parties involved confirmed the news, chaos ensued.

Was it just tents being sold, and only to AHBAP? No, of course not.

Tents were also sold to organizations such as the Turkish Pharmacists Association (TEB), Arçelik, Opet, and Michelin. Even canned goods and second-hand donations were sold.

The company that produces tents for TRC also sold tents to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB).

This was a clear case of profiting from a crisis. Don’t tell me it’s business. On the second and third days after the earthquake, while people were trapped under rubble and survivors were looking for shelter from the cold, a relief organization was selling tents. You can't justify this. It’s like selling the spoils of a sinking ship.

While these events unfolded at TRC, I came across a press release from the German Red Cross. The information it contained was almost identical to what the TRC stated. Curious about this coincidence, I investigated further.

Let me explain...

Immediately after the earthquake, the federation made an appeal for 350 million CHF in aid from donors. Initially, 15 million 336 thousand CHF was raised. These donations came in both cash and kind. Here’s the document:

For example, Australia donated 2 million 293 thousand CHF in cash. The European Union's ECHO provided 2 million 986 thousand CHF. The French Red Cross contributed 1 million 586 thousand CHF in-kind aid. Spain, Japan, and Belgium also provided in-kind aid, including tents, medicine, clothing, and overalls.

Beyond these, China sent 20,000 tents. France and Spain also sent tents. What happened to the tents from China? I couldn’t trace them. I found documents about their transportation via Turkish Airlines, but I couldn’t find any records of their final destination. Turkish Red Crescent officials did not respond to my calls or written inquiries after my report on the tents.

In its official statement, TRC claimed to have dispatched 75,136 tents. Are these tents from their own inventory or those sent by Red Cross units? We don’t know. For example, China alone sent 20,000 tents. I hope they didn't sell those too.

3.5 MILLION EURO BLANKET AID

For instance, the federation received a donation of 3.5 million Euros for blankets, a crucial need in cold climates. What happened to this aid? It’s still being held. As I write this, the aid is still in limbo.

The question is whether to distribute the blankets purchased with this money or to replenish TRC’s depleted blanket stock.

It has been over a month since the earthquake, and urgent needs persist. It’s time for transparency and accountability.