Aid packages of state-run AFAD spotted at Family Minister's election bus

Turkish disaster management agency AFAD’s aid packages have been spotted on an election bus of Family Minister Derya Yanık. After a footage showing the images went viral on social media, Yanık argued that the packages were being transported “to help AFAD.”

Wednesday April 26 2023 02:40 pm

Duvar English

A lawmaker of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has released a video footage showing aid packages of the state-run Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) piled up at Family Minister Derya Yanık’s election bus.

“Ms. Derya, will you be able to explain? How is that for your personal nomination, you distribute from the party bus materials which have been bought with the people’s taxes and donations? What are AFAD packages doing on the election bus? Is mobilizing the state’s planes, vehicles, all opportunities not enough?” CHP MP Gamze Taşçıer asked on Twitter on April 26.

Derya Hanım açıklayabilecek misiniz?

Milletin vergileriyle, bağışlarıyla alınan malzemeleri şahsi adaylığınız için parti aracından dağıtmak da ne? AFAD kolilerinin seçim aracında ne işi var?

Devlet’in uçakları, araçları, tüm imkanlarını seferber ettiniz daha yetmedi mi?… pic.twitter.com/MbjM9ulA9S
— Gamze TAŞCIER (@gamzetascier) April 26, 2023

After this video went viral on social media, Yanık released a statement, arguing that the packages were being transported “to help AFAD” and vowed to “investigate the issue with all of its details.”

“The allegation that we are utilizing state resources is unjust and baseless. After the images reached us, the incident has been investigated, and we have been informed that the packages received from AFAD were transported to fulfill the demand of quake victim citizens who are getting food support from AFAD and for the purposes of helping (AFAD),” she tweeted.

Sosyal medyada dün akşam itibarıyla paylaşıma sokulmasıyla haberdar olduğum görüntülerdeki durum bilgim ve kontrolüm dışında gerçekleşmiştir. Bu görüntüler referans gösterilerek kamu kaynaklarını kullandığımız iddiası haksız ve mesnedsizdir.
— Derya Yanık (@deryayanikashb) April 26, 2023