Within the context of the World Health Week, United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA) organized a blood donation campaign on 5 April 2018.
Every 7th of April, the date on which the Constitution of the World Health Organization entered into force, is celebrated as the “World Health Day,” and the following week as the “World Health Week.” In this regard, various activities are organized to remind the importance of health for human life.
Continuing its efforts to promote the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) put by the United Nations; UCLG-MEWA contributes to the global agendas through the activities carried out during international days and weeks, aiming to raise awareness on both national and international levels. Referring to “Healthy Individuals,” SDG3 is a clear call for all the efforts to ensure healthy lives and to promote well-being at all ages. In this regard, the campaign organized on 5 April 2018 has a crucial role especially for the implementation of Goal 3.
Speaking at the campaign site in UCLG-MEWA General Secretariat in Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Secretary General Mehmet Duman highlighted the significance of the events organized in the Middle East and West Asia region, for developing mindfulness on blood donation. In his speech, Duman further emphasized the efforts of Turkish Red Crescent for all humanity. He concluded by noting that UCLG-MEWA had made a call to all district municipalities in Istanbul to participate in the campaign in their nearest Turkish Red Crescent Blood Donation Center.
Expressing his pleasure of organizing such an event in Sultanahmet, a strategically important place for Istanbul; İsmail Hakkı Turunç, Vice President of Turkish Red Crescent and Advisor to the Mayor of Istanbul, emphasized the importance of the campaign as regards to its contribution to achieve donors in Sultanahmet and to demonstrate the awareness and sensitivity of Turkish people in such a touristic place.
In memory of the meaning and importance of the day, UCLG-MEWA and Turkish Red Crescent presented participation certificates to donors.
You can visit flic.kr/s/aHskyUbDfW for photographs from the event.