The devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaraş on 6 February 2023 served as a powerful reminder of the profound impact natural disasters can have on regional development. These events highlighted the critical need for strong, sustainable socioeconomic and agricultural systems, along with a focus on building psychological resilience within communities to help them navigate crises when they do inevitably occur. While a harsh lesson indeed, this disaster has made it clear that meaningful recovery and development in disaster-stricken regions can only be achieved through social impact investments that uplift both individuals and communities.
We see, especially after such large-scale disasters, that it is no longer possible to rely solely on financial metrics while creating roadmaps for the future. In fact, we have reached a point where we have been forced to completely rethink our approach to the future using projections grounded in deep expertise and acumen. Given this new reality, Kızılay Investment has dedicated itself to serving humanity through a range of innovative activities since its establishment in 2019. Our mission is to support TRC’s humanitarian work by generating sustainable resources through social impact investments and, by astutely implementing this model, to become a global leader in this field.
As TRC’s largest and longest-standing supporter, Kızılay Investment is committed to empowering individuals and communities, alleviating disaster- and poverty-related suffering, and eliminating existing or potential disadvantages. At Kızılay Investment, we fulfill a wide range of responsibilities, including disaster preparedness, rapid response and recovery, and supply chain management. We similarly provide essential services like infrastructure, logistics, and shelter—all of these falling within the framework of social impact investment. Designed to promote swift and effective development in disaster-stricken areas, our extensive socioeconomic empowerment programs cover agriculture, food security, health, energy, and education.
We take our stewardship over financial resources with a deep sense of responsibility—a testament of the moral strength TRC has embodied since 1868. In disaster zones and other critical areas, we partner with corporations through social impact investing to implement projects that drive positive socioeconomic change. Our efforts emphasize regional humanitarian aid and sustainable development. We are rapidly moving toward becoming a leader in innovative, holistic humanitarian aid solutions.
We are also proud to announce that we are establishing Türkiye’s first impact centers in Gaziantep and Hatay—two key cities for post-disaster recovery. Showcasing a community-based development approach led by experts, these centers will serve as models both for Türkiye and the wider world. We will continue to promote TRC’s values through investments that deliver positive, measurable results. Our achievements so far have not only brought new responsibilities to the table but have also motivated us to deepen our commitment to the future of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Kızılay Investment will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that TRC has sufficient resources to mount effective humanitarian operations, to meet whatever financial needs the organization may have, and to expand our reach to help all those in need.