Why did the Turkish Red Crescent sell tents instead of donating them?

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Turkish Red Crescent's Tent Sale to Charity Criticised

The Turkish Red Crescent sold 2,050 tents to the local charity Ahbap for 46 million Turkish lira, a transaction that has drawn significant criticism from the Turkish opposition and media. The humanitarian group's head, Kerem Kinik, confirmed the sale, stating that the tents were provided to Ahbap at "cost price" by Kizilay Cadir, a subsidiary responsible for tent production. Kinik defended the transaction, describing the cooperation with Ahbap as "moral, reasonable and ethical."
Sale of Tents by Turkish Red Crescent

The Turkish Red Crescent sold 2,050 tents to the Ahbap charity for 46 million Turkish lira (approximately RM10.85 million). This sale occurred in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that claimed over 44,000 lives in Turkiye and thousands more in Syria. Journalist Murat Agirel highlighted the controversy, stating that the organisation sold tents when people were in desperate need and begging for them in the days following the earthquake.
Justification Provided by Red Crescent Head

Kerem Kinik, the head of the Turkish Red Crescent, addressed the criticism by confirming that the tents were supplied to Ahbap at "cost price" through Kizilay Cadir, the organisation's subsidiary tasked with tent manufacturing. He asserted that this arrangement was ethical and reasonable, framing the cooperation with Ahbap as a morally sound decision.
Political Backlash and Accusations

The sale prompted a strong reaction from opposition figures, with several calling for the resignation of the Red Crescent chairman. Meral Aksener, chairwoman of the nationalist Iyi Party, expressed her condemnation on Twitter. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however, defended the Red Crescent, accusing its critics of being "dishonest and vile." This response was met with further criticism, as Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition party, accused Erdogan of "insulting the earthquake victims." The Turkish government itself faced accusations of failing to adequately distribute tents and other essential aid in the immediate period following the earthquake.

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Why did the Turkish Red Crescent sell tents instead of donating them?

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