The foundation and work activities İzmir Red Crescent association(1911-1945)

Izmir Red Crescent Association is one of the exceptional institutions that was established, with the aim of helping the wounded soldiers during the Turco-Italian War, on October 28, 1911 by prominent persons such as Basik Haci Mustafa Efendi, Dr. Mustafa Enver Bey, Evliyazade Refik Bey, Greek metropolitan bishop (Orthodox spiritual leader) Hrisostomos Efendi, Armenian and Catholic Bishops, Hahambasi Efendi (hief rabbi) together with different components, and could survive until today with the joint efforts of Suleyman Ferit Eczacibasi, Sezai Goker, Dr. Kamuran Ors, Dr Huseyin Hulki Cura, Izmir parliamentarians, mayors, doctors, pharmacists and even governers growingly. Izmir center generated rather an important amount of financial income by considering the natural resources and economic structure of the city to carry out their foundational objectives. With that income, they provided food aid and articles needed for thousands of immigrants coming to Izmir since the Balkan Wars as long as they stayed in the city and they took care of their health problems as well. Additionally, they helped Turkish and foreign prisoners to communicate with their families and send some packets of basic needs. Izmir Red Crescent Association also supported the exchange of prisoners and Turkish families after the treaty of Lausanne and exchange of The Second World War foreign prisoners. In addition to all these, poverty occurred after the recession caused by the war in one hand and the diseases carried by the immigrants flooding into the city on the other hand implied a lot of epidemics together. To prevent that situation, hospitals and dispensaries were opened in the vicinities needed and also medical support was sent to the existing hospitals in the city. Izmir Center also helped the earthquake and flood disaster sufferers who lost their lives and ended up homeless a short time after the war ended. Key words: Izmir, Red Crescent Association, Help association, The Red Crescent, The Red Cross, Prisoner, Immigrant, Exchange, Meal Center, Earthquake, Flood Disaster