On August 19, 2003, Sérgio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, and 21 of his colleagues lost their lives in a terrorist attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad. In recognition of this tragic event, the United Nations General Assembly, through a resolution adopted on December 11, 2008, designated August 19 as “World Humanitarian Day.” Every year on this meaningful day, humanitarian workers who dedicate themselves to saving lives under the most challenging circumstances, as well as those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, are respectfully remembered.

In line with the humanitarian legacy of our late founder, Salih Tatlıcı, the Salih Tatlıcı Foundation has taken a meaningful step internationally on the occasion of this special day. Since its establishment in 1992, our Foundation has been guided by the belief that every human being has the right to protection, care, and life. In accordance with this principle, our Foundation has made a donation to INTERSOS, one of Italy’s largest independent humanitarian organizations.

“We Must Take Action for Humanity”

Regarding the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board Member of our Foundation, stated:

“On World Humanitarian Day, we gratefully recognize the dedicated humanitarian workers who deliver life-saving assistance to millions of people in need around the world. Unfortunately, serving others and defending the right to life has become more dangerous than ever before. We are going through a difficult period in which humanitarian funding is being cut, access to aid is being restricted, convoys are being stopped, and people in desperate need are being left without support.

Families struggling with hunger, children waiting hopefully for food, and patients in urgent need of medical care require the world to take action without delay. Humanity must respect the rules of war, ensure safe humanitarian corridors, hold those responsible for violations accountable, and provide the resources that are urgently needed.

As the Salih Tatlıcı Foundation, we are honored to support INTERSOS, an organization that works impartially on behalf of humanity on a global scale, with a strong sense of responsibility toward these humanitarian challenges.”

About INTERSOS

INTERSOS is an independent international humanitarian organization based in Italy that operates on the front lines in areas affected by war, conflict, violence, extreme poverty, and natural or human-made disasters. Since its establishment in 1992, the organization has been reaching the most vulnerable communities in crisis-affected regions, focusing on vital areas such as emergency shelter, medical care, and the distribution of essential supplies.

A member of ICVA, VOICE, and LINK 2007, INTERSOS also holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and observer status within the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Working in strong partnership with local associations and international institutions, the organization strives to help ensure access to basic necessities and fundamental human rights, including food, water, and healthcare.

In addition to providing emergency humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS seeks to lay the foundations for sustainable development and continues to raise awareness of humanitarian values, fundamental rights, and human dignity within communities. The organization conducts its activities through its headquarters in Rome and regional offices in Amman and Nairobi, adhering to the principles of transparency and efficiency throughout its operations.

Salih Tatlıcı Foundation

The Salih Tatlıcı Foundation continues to expand its social responsibility projects to an international scale, in line with the philanthropic legacy of our late founder, Salih Tatlıcı, who embraced humanity, nature, and all living beings. As part of this effort, our Foundation made a significant donation to “Eurogroup for Animals,” an organization that carries out extensive work across Europe to protect animal rights and improve living standards.

“Respect for All Forms of Life Is an Investment in Our Shared Future”

Commenting on the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board Member of the Salih Tatlıcı Foundation, stated:

“Building a more livable world requires taking responsibility not only for humans but also on behalf of all living beings who cannot speak for themselves. In line with this understanding, we consider it our duty to support initiatives aimed at developing legal frameworks for animal protection, raising welfare standards, and increasing public awareness.

Our foundation embraces social responsibility not merely as a human-centered concept, but as a universal principle that safeguards the right to life for all living beings. We are delighted to contribute to “Eurogroup for Animals,” one of Europe’s most respected civil society networks in the field of animal welfare. As the SalihTatlıcı Foundation, we remaincommitted to continuing our work with compassion, social solidarity, and a sense of responsibility, supporting national and international projects that add value to humanity, the environment, and the shared existence of all living beings.”

About Eurogroup for Animals

Eurogroup for Animals is an international, non profit organization registered under Belgian law. It carries out pioneering work to develop animal welfare policies at the European Union level, conduct advocacy activities, and raise public awareness.

The organization, which has built a strong civil society network across Europe, works to positively influence decision-makers and carries out coordinated campaigns and advocacy efforts throughout the EU. The primary goal of Eurogroup for Animals is to build a society where animals—as sentient beings capable of feeling and perceiving—are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. To this end, the organization works resolutely with a focus on animal rights to improve legislation, ensure the implementation of the highest welfare standards, and bring about lasting social change.