International Circassian Association visits quake-hit regions

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An International Circassian Association (ICA) delegation came to Turkey yesterday (March 9) and visited regions hit by the February 6 earthquakes.

The ICA delegation included president Hauti Sohkrokov, vice-presidents Ali Aslanov and Yıldız Şekerci, and journalist Susanna Guchetl.

The vice-president Mutlu Akkaya and board members Hakan Polat and Seyfi Tokuç from the Federation of Caucus Associations (KAFFED) in Turkey accompanied them on their visit.

The delegation met Oğuz Oktay, president of the Göksun Circassian Culture Association, Ahmet Özcan, the president of the Afşin Caucus Culture Association, and Bekir Sami Yavuz, the president of the Maraş Caucus Culture Association in the earthquake region. They also visited State of Emergency Governor Ekrem Canalp together with the Earthquake Coordination Board members of KAFFED.

The delegation visited Göksun and its villages after these meetings.

Aid campaigns are organized in the mainland, informed Hauti Sohkrokov, and promised to send aid and contribute to the reconstruction of the villages.

The KAFFED delegation reminded their request for returning to the mainland which was discussed in a previous meeting. They requested from ICA that concrete steps should be taken and applications should be made for this purpose to the related authorities. KAFFED representatives also wanted ICA to share with them the list of people who are contributing to the aid campaign. (HA/PE)