UN secretary-general hails Turkey’s efforts

Thursday, May 31, 2012

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has praised Turkey because of the roads and hospitals it has built in Somalia during a visit to Istanbul. DHA photo

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U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised Turkey’s contribution to Somalia, saying that Somalia’s people are grateful to Turkey for their significant aid efforts.

Accompanied by his wife, Ban was welcomed to Istanbul by Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu and Mayor Kadir Topbaş yesterday. Speaking upon his arrival, the secretary-general said this was the second time he had been in Istanbul for Somalia, because he also came in 2010 for another Somalia Conference. The governor gave Ban details about the city and said the city could lead important projects in the future.

“Istanbul is hosting 80 children from different countries, mostly from Somalia. These children are orphans. Most of them came from war- and famine-stricken countries in Asia and Africa. We are setting up a humanitarian aid center in Somalia. This is a completely civil organization. There are also some state-led projects, including a school and a hospital.”

The mayor also said Istanbul and Mogadishu are sister cities.

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