After suffering from a series of massive earthquakes, the people of Turkey and Syria are in need of assistance. With the current death toll nearing 30,000 (and expected to rise), there are many organisations supporting in the rescue efforts.
What Happened?
On 6 February 2023 in the span of 12 hours, two massive earthquakes measuring in at 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude hit Southern Turkey and Northern Syria. The destruction has impacted cities including Gaziantep and Aleppo as well as the Syrian refugee camps on the border.
With extensive damage to buildings and homes, the earthquakes have already claimed nearly 30,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people (with these numbers expected to rise).
In addition to the destruction caused - the rescue and recovery efforts have been hampered by poor weather as temperatures have dipped well below freezing in many of the impacted areas.
Go Fund Me has reported over 1,500 new fundraisers have been added to the site in support. While it can sometimes be difficult to track the authenticity of online fundraisers, there are a number of reputable charities and organisations that you can support today.
Charities to consider supporting
Oxfam
In what is the biggest earthquake in Turkey since 1938, Oxfam KEDV (Oxfam affiliate in Turkey) is assessing and working with the fastest and most appropriate humanitarian efforts to help.
Oxfam has partnerships with around 80 women’s cooperatives in ten Turkish provinces and is currently assessing response plans with them given the scale of devastation.
DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee)
DEC is comprised of multiple charities that team up to support in times of crisis. The DEC members include; ActionAid, Action Against Hunger, British Red Cross, CAFOD CARE International, Christian Aid, ConcernAge UK, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund, and World Vision. DEC works with local partner organisations to help make the greatest impact:
£10 could provide blankets to keep two people warm
£25 could provide emergency food for a family for ten days
£50 could provide emergency shelter for two families
Save the Children
The Save the Children Emergency Fund allows for a quick response to disasters around the world. Teams are currently working with partner organisations in northwest Syria and southern Turkey to assess what children and their families need, so they can deliver impactful support as needed.
MSF - Doctors Without Borders
Already on the ground providing aid - MSF (Doctors without Borders) has provided support to 23 health facilities across Idlib and Aleppo. Donating emergency medical kits as well as supporting with medical personnel and expertise.
"[In] the first hours [of the disaster], our teams treated around 200 wounded and we received 160 casualties in the facilities and the clinics that we run or support in northern Idlib" - Sebastien Gay, MSF head of mission in Syria.
Action Aid
ActionAid is preparing to respond and support the needs of those who have been impacted.
Focusing on the immediate needs of the victims - ActionAid will be providing shelter, food, medical aid, warm clothing, heaters and cash to everyone who has lost their homes and are displaced.
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