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Celestyal transports aid to Turkey, will donate funds from shore excursions to earthquake relief

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The blankets and sleeping bags were transported by Celestyal Crystal during its first voyage of the season to Kusadasi
Celestyal Crystal has conveyed blankets and sleeping bags from Greece to Turkey for those made homeless following the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks that took place in the south of the country and Northern Syria last month. It additionally will donate some funds from shore excursions in Turkey to the relief effort.

More than a million residents in Turkey remain homeless owing to the disaster, which resulted in more than 50,000 deaths and has left countless people without shelter or basic supplies.

Brings blankets and sleeping bags to Turkey

The operation to bring bedding was carried out during the ship’s first call of the season at Kusadasi, Turkey on March 17. In order to deliver the emergency aid, Celestyal Cruises partnered with the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority,  a Turkish government entity established to coordinate the post-disaster response and to promote cooperation among various government agencies. 

Donating funds from shore excursions

In addition, the line will donate a portion of revenues from shore excursions in Turkey to the relief effort. Celestyal is scheduled to call regularly in Turkey. ‘Celestyal has been bringing our guests to visit the city of Kusadasi and the magnificent ruins of nearby Ephesus for many years now,’ commented CEO Chris Theophilides. ‘As a result, we have a strong bond with Turkey and its people, and we were devastated when news broke of the horrific earthquake only a month ago.

He added, ‘A strong part of Celestyal’s DNA is to be responsible corporate citizens of the places we visit and to support the people who call these places home.  The least we could do is to lend a helping hand to our Turkish friends in need.

‘We can only hope that our donation of supplies will help with this huge humanitarian effort that is so desperately needed in this part of the world.’

Global Ports Holding, Miray Cruises and MSC Group are among the other operators supporting the relief effort.