Turkish Parliament Accepts More Provisions in Red Crescent Bill

Turkey’s parliament accepted another provision in a bill on the Turkish Red Crescent during a General Assembly session.

The provision gives the organization and businesses it mostly owns a role in supplying first aid, disaster logistics and temporary shelter during emergencies.

Some emergency supplies could be bought directly from the Red Crescent without normal public tender rules, under arrangements coordinated with the relevant ministry.

The purchases must still follow principles including transparency, fair treatment and efficient use of public resources.

Public bodies could assign or transfer suitable equipment to the Red Crescent, and the organization could receive welfare data under an agreement to help avoid duplicate aid.

The bill also sets out tax and customs exemptions, rules for payment for blood components supplied to public health providers, and limits on how exempt imported equipment may be used.

The accepted provision expands the Red Crescent’s role and support in emergencies, but the text does not say when the bill will be fully considered or take effect.