An international humanitarian relief effort in the form of a Freedom Flotilla Coalition is getting ready to leave the western Turkish port of Tuzla and bring much-needed relief to residents of Gaza, AFP reports.

At least three vessels carrying some 5,000 tonnes of food, drinking water and medical aid are awaiting the green light from Turkish authorities to set sail from the port on the Sea of Marmara, south of Istanbul, organisers said.

Some 280 activists, rights campaigners, lawyers and doctors from more than 30 countries, including the United States, Britain, Canada, Norway, Spain, Malaysia and Germany, have joined the mission to Gaza.

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