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Article by Ali Selim Kara, Communications Officer for RET

ANKARA, TÜRKIYE – Ms. Zeynep Gülgün Gündüz, the President and CEO of RET International and a member of RET International’s Board of Directors, embarked on a field visit to RET Türkiye in May. Her itinerary included strategic meetings at the central office in Ankara and insightful visits to RET’s fast-growing community centers in Aksaray and Kayseri. These engagements allowed her to connect deeply with staff and participants, reinforcing RET International’s commitment to humanitarian efforts in Türkiye. 

Highlighting Türkiye’s Humanitarian Leadership 

During her visit, Ms. Zeynep addressed the staff of RET Türkiye, reflecting on the unique challenges and accomplishments of the country in the face of past and ongoing regional crises. “It is a country where there are and have been many nearby humanitarian crises in Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and inevitably, Türkiye has been affected by all of these crises,” she stated. “No country in the world had been affected by the surrounding crises, then welcomed the affected population with great hospitality.” 

She emphasized Türkiye’s strategic role and its extraordinary efforts in hosting refugees. “As a country, we are in a very strategic location and we still host the biggest number of refugees around the world. Nevertheless, Türkiye achieved great success and impact during these processes.”

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Engaging with Community Centers in Aksaray and Kayseri 

A significant part of Ms. Zeynep’s visit was her time spent at RET’s community centers in Aksaray and Kayseri. These centers are critical hubs providing support and services to refugees and local communities. She participated in activities organized at these centers, engaging directly with participants to hear their stories and understand their challenges. This direct interaction provided valuable insights into the real-life impact of RET’s programs and highlighted the importance of continued support and development. 

The Role of NGOs in Humanitarian Crises 

Ms. Zeynep stressed the essential role of non-governmental organizations in addressing and mitigating the impacts of these crises. “Uncontrovertibly, in these times, as non-governmental organizations, we have a great responsibility,” she remarked. “In Türkiye, we are creating history. Even if our endeavors might seem small, our impact is great. And as we have done until today, we will continue to listen to individuals’ voices, support them, and try to be part of the solution.” 

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Looking Ahead 

Ms. Zeynep’s visit underscores RET’s unwavering dedication to supporting Türkiye’s humanitarian mission. Her interactions with staff and participants alike reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to listening, supporting, and being part of the solution in the face of ongoing crises.

To help us continue this critical work in Türkiye and around the world, consider making a recurring donation to RET today.