Turkish Red Crescent
Türk Kızılayı | |
Logo of the Turkish Red Crescent | |
| Formation | 1868 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Ottoman Empire (1868) re-established in Ankara, Turkey (1935) |
| Type | Humanitarian Aid |
| Legal status | Active |
| Headquarters | Ankara, Turkey |
Official language | Turkish |
| Website | www |
Formerly called | Hilâl-i Ahmer Cemiyeti (until 1935) |
The Turkish Red Crescent (Turkish: Türk Kızılay) is the Turkish affiliate of the International Red Crescent and the first worldwide adopter of the crescent symbol for humanitarian aid.
Being the largest humanitarian foundation in Turkey, its roots goes back to the Crimean War from 1853 to 1856 and the Russo-Turkish War from 1876 to 1878, where disease overshadowed battle as the main cause of death and suffering among Turkish soldiers.
Operating to this day as a not-for-profit volunteer-based social service, it is considered one of the most important charity organizations in the Muslim world.