Philippine Red Cross Receives a Fully Equipped Food Truck from TİKA
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) announced on Thursday, October 16, that it has received a fully equipped food truck donated by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). The vehicle is intended to bolster the PRC’s disaster response and humanitarian operations across the Philippines, further strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two organizations.
The turnover ceremony took place at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong City and was attended by key representatives from both sides. Attendees included H.E. Niyazi Evren Akyol, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Philippines; Dr. Ümit Naci Yorulmaz, Vice President of TİKA; and officials from TİKA’s Philippine office such as Seylan Imre, Philippine Desk Officer; Ibrahim Katirci, Country Coordinator; and Project Officers Albana Mohammad and Kyle Christian Manejero. Representing the PRC were Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon, Secretary General Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, and other senior officials from various PRC services.
Strengthening Humanitarian Ties
In his remarks, Ambassador Akyol underscored the admiration he has for the PRC’s dedication to humanitarian service. “I have seen how selflessly the Philippine Red Cross works under the leadership of the CEO,” he said. “The PRC is used to helping people, even across countries. We were touched when they sent aid during the earthquake in Türkiye in 2023.”
Yorulmaz, who also serves as Vice President of the Turkish Red Crescent, highlighted the importance of global collaboration in disaster response. “This project has a personal meaning for me,” he noted. “With the Turkish Red Crescent and the whole family of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, I witnessed firsthand how the humanitarian network saves lives and brings comfort to people in crisis.”
A Food Truck Built for Hope and Resilience
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic turnover of the food truck key to Gordon. He spoke about the truck’s potential to bring both practical relief and emotional solace to communities struck by disaster. “Whenever there’s a disaster, everybody’s afraid and insecure,” Gordon said. “But when you see a truck like this, dedicated to serving people and giving them comfort, it gives people hope. The truck should be seen not just as a disaster response vehicle but as a symbol of hope for both body and mind.”
Following the turnover, officials conducted an ocular inspection of the food truck, which comes equipped with a full range of culinary capabilities. It includes an oven, a rice steamer, a freezer, two industrial stoves with a ventilation system, and a solar panel setup. Such features empower PRC teams to prepare and distribute thousands of hot meals even in remote or heavily affected areas, enabling rapid relief during emergencies and ongoing humanitarian campaigns alike.
A Shared Mission for Resilience
This latest donation reflects the sustained partnership between TİKA and the PRC, aligning with both organizations’ missions to strengthen disaster response, provide timely humanitarian assistance, and build resilience in vulnerable communities across the Philippines. As climate-related disasters become more frequent, tools like this food truck can make a tangible difference in reaching affected populations quickly and efficiently, while also supporting the dignity and morale of those in crisis.
