UNICEF's 2012 Humanitarian action for Children report released

UNICEF's 2012 Humanitarian Action for Children report was shared at a meeting which was held in Ankara yesterday, which was followed by a press conference. Speaking at the conference, Health Minister Recep Akdag criticized Israeli authorities for committing a "crime against humanity" in preventing medicine from reaching Gaza. "Over the past three months, we have not been able to deliver medicine to Gaza, which has been converted into an open-air prison. I would like to address the Israeli authorities: To prevent the delivery of medical supplies and aid to patients who need them is a crime against humanity," Akdag said. Stating that Turkey attaches great importance to children's health and rights, Akdag noted, "An article which was published by The Guardian daily on January 26 indicates that there are many lessons which could be taken by other countries from the humanitarian aid extended by Turkey to Somalia. Turkey should be proud of this, because we set an example to the world in terms of humanitarian sensitivity. Turkey will continue to extend such aid to anywhere in the world."