Support has poured in for the national solidarity campaign launched by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as politicians, public and private sector workers, celebrities from the worlds of arts and business along with tens of thousands of citizens pledge donations, sending out a message saying, "We will overcome this challenge together."
Lawmakers, mayors, and the education community have also thrown their support behind the campaign which was dubbed as: “We are self-sufficient, Turkey!”
“The day is one of national solidarity! We’re in this together. We’re self-sufficient!" said Turkey’s Communication Director Fahrettin Altun as he called on citizens to stand shoulder to shoulder during this crisis.
Additionally, several former politicians and officials from across Turkey’s 81 provinces took part in the campaign such as former head of Religious Affairs Mehmet Görmez.
“Today is one to unite hearts. It is the day to share our possessions, our soul and our incomes. Alms is given from goods, charity, sincerity and health. Today is the day to share our bread with our brothers,” Görmez said.
A large number of officials have pledged three-month to six-month salaries to the campaign in addition to tens of thousands of citizens who also mobilized to pitch in with what little they have in the spirit of solidarity.
Turkey's president on Monday launched a National Solidarity Campaign to aid fight against the novel coronavirus, donating seven of his monthly salaries to the initiative.
"I am launching the campaign personally by donating my seven-month salary," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in his address to the nation.
Cabinet members in the government and lawmakers have donated 5.2 million Turkish liras ($791,000) to the campaign, he added.
He underlined that the aim of the campaign would be to provide additional support to low-income people suffering economically due to the measures taken against the spread of the disease.
After originating in Wuhan last December, the virus known as COVID-19 has spread to at least 180 countries and regions across the world, with its epicenter shifting to Europe, while China has largely come out of the crisis.
The virus has killed more than 42,400 people and infected over 862,200 globally, while some 178,800 people recovered from the disease, according to figures collated by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
