Hopa Municipality's Vefa Kart support for martyrs' relatives and veterans

Hopa Municipality in Turkey's Artvin province has introduced a new social welfare initiative called the "Vefa Kart" (Gratitude Card) to support the families of martyrs and veterans.

Under this program, eligible individuals will be able to utilize the municipal "Kent Lokantası" (City Restaurant) for free meals. The municipality emphasized that this initiative is not merely a form of social assistance but also a demonstration of societal responsibility and solidarity.

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We do not see the ability of our martyrs' relatives and veterans to benefit from this service for free as a favor bestowed upon them. This initiative is a natural consequence of the feeling of gratitude and our responsibility as a society.

Hopa Mayor Utku Cihan stated that the "Vefa Kart" is a significant example of social municipalism, aiming to ease the lives of martyrs' relatives and veterans. He stressed that the free meals should not be viewed as a handout but as a natural outcome of the community's sense of gratitude and responsibility. "We do not see the ability of our martyrs' relatives and veterans to benefit from this service for free as a favor bestowed upon them. This initiative is a natural consequence of the feeling of gratitude and our responsibility as a society," Cihan explained.

Cihan further noted that local governments must go beyond infrastructure services to strengthen social justice and include all segments of society. Hopa Municipality is committed to continuing projects that promote solidarity, ensuring that no one is left behind and that policies are developed to facilitate citizens' lives, strengthen social bonds, and foster a culture of solidarity. Representatives from the Hopa chapter of the Veterans Association expressed their satisfaction with the "Vefa Kart" initiative and thanked the municipality.

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We must develop policies that leave no one behind. We will continue to carry out work that facilitates the lives of our citizens, strengthens our social bonds, and grows our culture of solidarity.