Red Cross appeal to help Syrian refugees in Turkey

Luxembourg's Red Cross has given 160,000 euros to fund the purchase of 480 tents to house Syrian refugees in Turkey after recent violence sent more Syrians fleeing over the border.

According to the humanitarian aid organisation, battles to gain control over the Syrian town of Tal Abyad, close to the Turkish border, provoked a new flux of refugees.

Since the beginning of June, 18,000 Syrian refugees are believed to have sought refugee in Turkey, in Akçakale.

The Turkish Red Cross is helping support Turkey's Syrian refugee population, now thought to total 1.8 million. It is being financially supported by Red Cross centres around the world, including in Luxembourg.

The Luxembourg Red Cross has to date donated 300,000 euros in aid to the Turkish Red Cross helping Syrian refugees.

The latest donation was made possible by dipping into an emergency fund for natural catastrophes and conflicts.

Appealing for further public donations, the organisation's General Director, Marc Crochet, said: “This emergency fund is built up exclusively through generous public donations. We hope to be able to restore the fund so that we will be able to support future situations like this.”

To donate to the Luxembourg Red Cross, visit www.croix-rouge.lu

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