The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Thursday, October 16, announced that it has received a fully equipped food truck from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) to enhance its disaster response and humanitarian operations across the country.

In a statement, the PRC said the donation strengthens its partnership with TİKA and will greatly support its disaster response and humanitarian work nationwide.

The turnover ceremony, held at the PRC National Headquarters in Mandaluyong City, was attended by H.E. Niyazi Evren Akyol, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Philippines; Dr. Ümit Naci Yorulmaz, Vice President of TİKA; and other officials from TİKA’s Philippine office, including 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 key officials from various PRC services.

In his remarks, Ambassador Akyol expressed admiration for the Philippine Red Cross’ 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,” he added.

Yorulmaz, who also served as Vice President of the Turkish Red Crescent, emphasized the importance of global collaboration in disaster response.

“This project has a personal meaning for me,” he said. “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,” he added.

The ceremony concluded with the symbolic turnover of the food truck key to Gordon, who highlighted the truck’s role in bringing hope to disaster-affected communities.

“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,” he added.

Gordon also emphasized that 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 ceremony, officials conducted an ocular inspection of the new food truck, which features a range with oven, rice steamer, freezer, two industrial stoves with a ventilation system, and a solar panel setup.

These features enable PRC teams to prepare and distribute thousands of hot meals even in remote or heavily affected areas.

This latest donation underscores TİKA’s continuing partnership with the PRC, reflecting both organizations’ shared mission to strengthen disaster response, provide timely humanitarian assistance, and build resilience in vulnerable communities across the Philippines.