Turkish Charity Hosts Breakfast for Syrian Orphans on International Orphans Day

A Turkish charity organized an Iftar for orphans in the Azaz neighborhood of war-torn Syria, Aleppo, on the occasion of International Orphans Day.

The breakfast was organized by the Istanbul-based Damascus Orphans Association, which is carrying out relief efforts in Syria for about 200 children orphaned by attacks by the Assad regime and its supporters.

Psychological counselor Abeer Abdelkali, a volunteer in the area, told Anadolu Agency that they want to gather Syrian orphans who live in tents at breakfast to remind them that they are not alone.

Twelve-year-old Hadeel Mahmoud said during his participation in the event: “My father passed away in Tal Refaat. I hope my father is with me. I can hug my father like other children.”

The International Orphan Day was announced at the Fifth International Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Islamic World, which was held in Istanbul in 2013 in partnership with the Humanitarian Relief Foundation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.