Bolat met with the disabled, the elderly, relatives of martyrs and orphans at the Call to Brotherhood Iftar program organized for the fifth time by the Human Rights and Freedoms (IHH) Humanitarian Aid Foundation, Kindness is Beautiful Platform and Merter Brands Association at Bahçelievler Teachers' House.
In the broadcast, Bolat said that Ramadan is the month of patience, sacrifice, solidarity, purification and compassion, being with people, the ability to put yourself in other people's shoes and feel what they feel.
Bolat explained that for 23 years, the government under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has tried to spend every penny of the state on economic growth, increasing welfare, production, exports, education, health, environment, culture, arts and security for citizens.
Expressing that they attach great importance to social support programs, Bolat said: “Before us, social assistance only accounted for 0.5 percent of national income. This year, social assistance will be allocated to our citizens with a budget of about 1 trillion lira.” he said.
Bolat stated that they will continue to support and stand by special children, the elderly, orphans, families of martyrs and families of veterans.
Bolat explained that special children who cannot leave their homes receive training in rehabilitation centers: “Mothers who have to take care of their children at home now take the minibus sent with their children in the morning and go to school. They also engage in life, socialize and participate in production. Many facilities have been opened specifically for our elderly who want to continue their lives in nursing homes.” he said.
“The number of our nursing homes under state protection has increased to 175”
Stating that children are protected and cared for through the “Children are Safe in 81 Provinces” program, Trade Minister Bolat said:
“120,000 of our elders receive home care and home health services. We have 1,400 boarding schools affiliated to our Ministry of Family and Social Services. Protection and care services are provided to 14,600 children. The number of care and rehabilitation centers for the disabled has increased to 286. 20 years ago there were 342 schools for training private individuals. Currently we have 1,855 schools. 35,000 teachers work for our children.” The families of martyrs and veterans and their children are also protected by the state.” During the transition to higher education, students will be given priority accommodation in the Ministry of Youth and Sports dormitories.
There is a quota for families of martyrs and public service veterans. As for our elderly, the number of nursing homes under state protection has increased to 175. The number of day care and rehabilitation centers has also increased to 45. “In this context, we will continue to provide all necessary services in the areas of health, care, protection, rehabilitation and social security.”
“We will spend 917 billion lira from the 2026 budget”
Bolat explained that about 3.5 percent of Turkey's budget is earmarked for social policies and support: “We will spend 194 billion lira on the participation and education of private individuals in social life, 22 billion lira on strengthening their families, 44 billion lira on the development of children, 14 billion lira on the relatives of martyrs and veterans, a total of 917 billion lira from the 2026 budget.” he said.
Noting that this support amounted to 630 billion lira last year, Bolat said: “We spend 90 billion lira on home care services for our pensioners, 106 billion lira on old-age and disability pensions for our elderly over 65 years old, 11 billion lira on transportation to education and 373 billion lira on the use of 50 percent cheaper electricity and natural gas for our citizens.” he said.
Bolat explained that there were wars around the Türkiye and that they managed to deal with the foreign policy crises without damaging a single citizen's fingernail.
Minister Bolat said that Türkiye continues to become stronger in the areas of production, growth, defense industry, energy, construction, transportation, arts and sports.
Bolat chatted with the guests
After the speeches, Bolat received “Eid gifts for children in Gaza” instead of a plaque. A written file was submitted by IHH Merter Branch President Gürbüz Oruç.
Minister Bolat then distributed gifts to the children and chatted with the disabled, the elderly, relatives of martyrs and orphans who accepted the invitation.
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