Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan and a delegation accompanying her arrived in Bangladesh on Thursday to visit a refugee camp hosting Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state along with a delegation including Turkish politicians and heads of Turkish aid agencies.
Erdoğan is expected to visit the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar district and distribute aid.
Family and Social Affairs Minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Istanbul Deputy Ravza Kavakçı Kan, president of the state-run Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Serdar Çam, Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) Director İbrahim Altan and heads of other non-governmental organizations are accompanying the first lady on her trip. Erdoğan’s youngest son Bilal Erdoğan is also accompanying her mother during the visit.
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has also arrived in Bangladesh to meet with officials and NGO heads and visit the refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar.
Turkey is expected to deliver humanitarian aid to some 100,000 Rohingya families.
Violence broke out in the Rakhine state after security forces launched an operation against Rohingya Muslims, forcing at least 120,000 people, including women and children to flee and seek refuge in neighboring Bangladesh since Aug. 25, when clashes began.
Myanmar security forces are accused of using disproportionate force and destroying homes of the Rohingya.
The U.N. documented mass gang-rape, killings — including infants and young children — brutal beatings and disappearances. Rohingya representatives have said approximately 400 people have been slain in the crackdown.
