Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya pledges $2m to help refugees on Turkish border

08-Oct-2014 - Last updated on 09-Jan-2015 at 19:48 GMT

Chobani founder & CEO Hamdi Ulukaya - a Kurdish Turk who move to the US in the 1990s - has pledged $2 million to charities that are helping refugees escaping violence along the Iraqi and Syrian borders of Turkey as the battle with Islamic militants continues to rage in the region.

The money is going to the UNHCR (UN's refugee agency) and the IRC (International Rescue Committee) which both have large-scale humanitarian relief operations in the region, said Ulukaya, who is also looking at supporting other NGOs providing on-the-ground relief work.

“We all have a moral responsibility to help innocent victims of violence, wherever they are and however we can,” said Ulukaya. “We must unite together to bring awareness, attention and relief for victims of human tragedy.”

David Milliband, president and CEO of the IRC and former UK foreign secretary (2007-10) said Ulukaya’s contribution would provide relief for “tens of thousands of people fleeing violence”.

He added: “The IRC helps civilians in need, no matter their race or creed, and with donors like Hamdi, we can help preserve dignity and life for those in great need.”

His comments came as Turkey - a Nato member - came under pressure to help Kurdish forces fighting IS across the border in Syria (click HERE).

Click HERE to read more about Chobani.