Page 8 - Turkinsurance Digital Magazine

8 at a glance

Allianz Group CEO Oliver Bäte and Allianz Turkey CEO Tolga Gürkan visited

the earthquake-stricken area in collaboration with UNICEF

During his visit to Allianz Turkey, which is celebrating
its 100th anniversary alongside the Republic, Oliver
Bäte traveled to Kahramanmaraş, which was affected
by the earthquakes on February 6th, to witness the
ongoing relief efforts firsthand. Bäte visited Şehit
Fatih Gök Primary School, which started the new
school year with the support of UNICEF, the Koç
Umut container city, and UNICEF’s “Birlikte”
Child, Adolescent, and Family Support Center in the
region. Following the earthquake disaster that shook
our country, the Allianz Group established a fund to
support relief efforts in the region and, as part of this
initiative, donated approximately 1 million euros to
UNICEF to aid in the recovery of earthquake-affected
children.
part of these efforts, access to formal and informal
During the visit, Oliver Bäte was accompanied by education, including early childhood education, has
Allianz Turkey CEO Tolga Gürkan and Georg Graf been provided to over 390,000 children to date.
Waldersee, the Chairman of the UNICEF Germany Through the establishment of 58 child, adolescent, and
Board. The delegation conveyed their get-well wishes family support centers, more than 500,000 children
to the earthquake victims and had the opportunity to and caregivers have received assistance in preserving
observe UNICEF’s psychosocial support activities mental health and psychosocial support.
for children, implemented in collaboration with the
Turkish Philanthropy Foundation (TKV). In his assessment of the visit, UNICEF Turkey
Representative Paolo Marchi stated, “We are very
Allianz Group CEO Oliver Bäte emphasized the pleased with the support provided by Allianz. Our
importance of solidarity in his speech during the visit collaboration with Allianz has strengthened our
and stated: “During this visit, I observed the restoration efforts to provide children in earthquake-affected
efforts we have been conducting with the support of areas with the education and psychosocial support
our employees and business partners, in addition to they need. We thank generous donors like Allianz for
the devastation caused by the earthquake. Following their support. Thanks to them, we have been able to
our contribution of a total of 6 million euros, one of provide the necessary humanitarian assistance to over
the largest aid packages in Allianz’s history, this visit 1.3 million children and families.”
reaffirms my confidence that we are fulfilling our
mission and prioritizing what truly matters – helping Collaborating with private sector organizations like
the victims in Turkey secure their futures. Although Allianz has enabled the spread and strengthening of
the road to recovery may be long, we know that our different perspectives and initiatives, allowing for
collaboration with UNICEF is particularly valuable rapid solutions to the challenges faced by children in
for the future generation of young individuals. In the the aftermath of the tragic earthquakes.
rebuilding process, we are committed to supporting
earthquake victims and everyone living in Turkey. Allianz Turkey CEO Tolga Gürkan also emphasized
that they have been continuously providing support to
As the Allianz Group, while celebrating the 100th relief efforts since the day the earthquake occurred,
anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, we move and he stated: “With the resources we have provided
forward with the awareness that our business is to contribute to relief efforts, along with Allianz
centered around our people and the promises we Group, we have supported several organizations,
make to our customers. We take great pride in including UNICEF. Recognizing our responsibility to
Allianz Turkey’s century-long journey that began with support future generations, we place great importance
Şark Sigorta. Meeting with earthquake victims and on healing the wounds of children in the earthquake-
witnessing our on-ground support further reinforces affected region through our collaboration with
the importance of the role we play in society.” UNICEF. Through this visit, we have observed how
valuable the work carried out here is. I extend my
UNICEF, in partnership with the government and gratitude to all the dedicated and hardworking relief
civil society, has been working since day one to teams who have been working tirelessly day and night
provide support to children and families affected for seven months in this region.”
by the earthquake in 11 provinces of Turkey. As