What is Kimse Yok Mu?

Aug 17, 1999: Turkey’s İzmit earthquake (centre) claims more than 17,000 lives. Turkish volunteers respond to cries of “Kimse Yok Mu?” – “Is Anybody Out There?” from beneath rubble. Disaster eventually leads to foundation of emergency relief charity Kimse Yok Mu (KYM)

2004: KYM recognised as not-for-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO), linked to
Fethullah Gulen (left) – Turkish imam exiled in U.S. KYM helps in tsunami-hit Indonesia

2005: Charity organises its largest disaster relief campaign following Afghan-Pakistan earthquake

2006: Launches Ramadan Tents in impoverished areas of Turkish cities. Every evening during holy month of Ramadan anyone can break their fast with free communal meal

2007 onwards: Extends aid campaigns to Palestine’s West Bank. Operations now cover Bangladesh, Darfur, Gaza, Georgia-Ossetia, Haiti, Kenya, Lebanon, Myanmar and Peru

2008: Fethullah Gulen obtains U.S. residency

2011: KYM founds Deva Hospital in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu

2013: KYM volunteers travel to Philippines in aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan

2014: KYM works with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to  assist Syrian refugees in Turkey. Cabinet of newly elected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) bans KYM from collecting donations in Turkey

2016: KYM has more than 200,000 volunteers in 113 countries

Jul: Following attempted coup in Turkey, Erdogan cracks down on Gulenists – believed
to be behind failed putsch. Kimse Yok Mu’s headquarters in Istanbul forcibly closed.
Turkey formally requests Gulen’s extradition

Aug: Under pressure from Erdogan administration, Somali government shuts down Deva
Hospital. Kyrgyzstan asked to close network of 30 Gulen-linked schools, and university

Sources: Anadolu Agency, Hizmet News 

Pictures: Associated Press