Zakat Foundation™ is a non-profit organization that was established in 2001 with the aim of providing humanitarian aid and support to those in need, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs. The organization operates in more than 50 countries, providing a wide range of services that include emergency relief, healthcare, education, and microfinance.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the Zakat Foundation™ Turkey annual report for 2017, which highlights the organization's achievements, challenges, and future plans.
Overview of Zakat Foundation™ Turkey
Zakat Foundation™ Turkey is one of the largest branches of the Zakat Foundation™, with a staff of more than 1,000 people and offices in Istanbul, Ankara, Gaziantep, Kilis, and Hatay. The organization is registered with the Turkish government and operates under the supervision of the Turkish Ministry of Interior.
The primary objective of Zakat Foundation™ Turkey is to provide assistance to refugees and people affected by conflict in the region. The organization works closely with local partners, including other NGOs, to deliver aid to those in need.
Achievements in 2017
In 2017, Zakat Foundation™ Turkey provided humanitarian assistance to more than 2.2 million people in Turkey and other countries in the region. The organization's activities were focused on four main areas: emergency relief, healthcare, education, and social support.
Emergency Relief
Zakat Foundation™ Turkey responded to a number of emergencies in 2017, including the Syrian conflict, the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, and the earthquake in Iran. The organization provided food, shelter, and medical assistance to those affected by these disasters, working closely with local partners to ensure that aid was delivered quickly and effectively.
Healthcare
In 2017, Zakat Foundation™ Turkey continued to provide healthcare services to refugees and other vulnerable communities in the region. The organization's mobile health clinics provided primary healthcare services to more than 70,000 people, while its hospital in Kilis provided specialized care to more than 5,000 patients.
Education
Education is a key focus area for Zakat Foundation™ Turkey, which recognizes the importance of providing children affected by conflict with access to quality education. In 2017, the organization provided education services to more than 70,000 children, including formal and informal education programs.
Social Support
Zakat Foundation™ Turkey also provides social support services to vulnerable communities in the region. In 2017, the organization provided vocational training and microfinance services to more than 10,000 people, helping them to build sustainable livelihoods.
Challenges
The main challenge faced by Zakat Foundation™ Turkey in 2017 was the ongoing conflict in Syria, which continues to have a significant impact on the region. The organization's resources were stretched thin by the increasing number of refugees in the country, and it was forced to prioritize its activities based on the most urgent needs.
Another challenge faced by the organization was the changing political climate in Turkey, which has had an impact on the ability of NGOs to operate in the country. Zakat Foundation™ Turkey worked closely with the Turkish government to ensure that it remained compliant with all relevant regulations and laws.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Zakat Foundation™ Turkey plans to continue providing humanitarian assistance to those in need in the region. The organization's priorities for the coming years include:
Increasing its capacity to respond to emergencies: Zakat Foundation™ Turkey plans to strengthen its emergency response capabilities, including by prepositioning stocks of essential relief items and training staff and volunteers in emergency response.
Expanding its healthcare services: The organization plans to expand its mobile health clinics and hospital services to reach more people in need.
