Abkhaz Federation Raises Over ₺800,000 for Wheelchair Solidarity Campaign

ISTANBUL  — The Federation of Abkhaz Associations in Türkiye (Abhaz Dernekleri Federasyonu) has announced that its wheelchair solidarity campaign for Abkhazia has surpassed ₺800,000 ($19,387) in donations as of 25 September 2025. The campaign was launched to provide wheelchairs to veterans, young people with disabilities and hospitals across Abkhazia.

According to the Federation’s statement, the funds will be used to purchase two motorised wheelchairs for a war veteran and a young person with a spinal cord injury in Abkhazia, while the remaining amount will fund the purchase of standard wheelchairs.

Ten of the wheelchairs will be allocated to the veterans’ association in Abkhazia, with the rest distributed to hospitals across the republic according to their size and needs.

The Federation expressed its gratitude to all contributors, noting the collective effort of Abkhaz diaspora communities, villages, cultural associations and individual donors.

A detailed list published by the Federation shows donations from more than 30 entities and individuals. Major contributors include:

• Abhaz Federation — ₺181,000 ($4,344)
• Soğuksu Village (Dzhigerda) — ₺72,000 ($1,728)
• Sarıyer Village — ₺60,000 ($1,440)
• Kuzuluk Village — ₺48,000 ($1,152)
• Tagorek Village — ₺48,000 ($1,152)
• Bilecik Abhaz Kültür Derneği — ₺24,000 ($576)
• Tavak Village — ₺24,000 ($576)
• Zafer Özönder (on behalf of Amıchba family) — ₺24,000 ($576)

Numerous other villages, associations and individual donors also contributed amounts ranging from ₺2,000 ($48) to ₺16,500 ($396), reflecting widespread support across the diaspora.

The total amount raised, ₺807,800 ($19,387), will fund 66 wheelchairs in total. The Federation emphasised that the campaign demonstrates the strength of communal solidarity and extended special thanks to the villages, associations and individuals who gave generously.