How to help those affected by the Turkey-Syria earthquakes

Updated: February 22, 2023 at 1:20 PM EST This article has been updated to reflect additional information about the latest earthquakes that have affected the region, new casualty estimates, and several other organizations helping victims.

On the morning of February 6th, Magnitude 7.8 earthquake hits shared area between central Turkey and northwestern Syria(opens in new tab), a devastating natural disaster that mobilized international humanitarian organizations for assistance. Thousands of aftershocks followed over the next few weeks, resulting in an earthquake of magnitude 6.3.(opens in new tab) It hit southeastern Turkey on 20 February.

According to CNN, the first event was The largest earthquake to hit the region in the last 100 years(opens in new tab)the rising death toll and infrastructure damage caused by the first quake was exacerbated by a second magnitude 7.7 quake shortly after.

Over 45,000 people died,(opens in new tab) Thousands more were injured.

Data from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)(opens in new tab) Health teams on the ground indicate that more than 356,000 pregnant women are affected by the disaster.

At the same time, the region faces natural and political crises, making relief efforts all the more important. With rapid temperature drops, snow and storms bringing frigid winters to both rural and urban homes in the region, Syrian communities in the north face a geopolitical crisis driven by years of violent conflict. We are already fighting a serious humanitarian crisis.

“Many people, including children, have been forced from their homes and remain in the streets and vacant lots. The Syrian government has closed schools and universities today. [Feb. 6], some of which are used as shelters. The psychological impact on some of the people we met is severe,” said Angela Carney, UNICEF’s representative in Syria.

As a result, a network of established aid organizations has been quickly put into action to meet the immediate needs.

Tweet may have been deleted
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)

Tweet may have been deleted
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)

Other regional and international groups have organized their own relief efforts to provide emergency rescue and medical assistance to affected people, and have called on the international community to support their efforts.

Donate to local relief organizations

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, local governments focused their efforts on saving lives amidst the rubble of thousands of collapsed buildings, including schools, hospitals and apartment buildings. In support, NGOs, nonprofits, and local organizations have filled gaps in health and social services.Amazon also created Turkey Disaster Relief Hub(opens in new tab) We used reclaimed warehouse space to distribute relief supplies to disaster victims and donated cash to local non-governmental organizations.

All organizations continue to respond to the evolving needs of the Turkish and Syrian communities.

GoFundMe Hub(opens in new tab)

Verified GoFundMe Campaigns for Victims(opens in new tab) and rescue workers(opens in new tab) You can find it at the centralized GoFundMe Turkey and Syria Earthquake Hub. This page will be updated with additional fundraising activities that have been vetted by the site’s Trust & Safety team.

Care(opens in new tab)

Care(opens in new tab) is an international non-profit organization focused on ending poverty, providing access to education and responding to humanitarian crises on the ground. The organization has mobilized a team in the city of Gaziantep to respond to the worst-hit areas in Turkey and northwestern Syria. Teams and partners on the ground are tasked with delivering blankets, food, mattresses, tents and other non-food items to those in need in extreme weather conditions.

UOSSM USA(opens in new tab)

of United Medical Relief Organizations (UOSSM)(opens in new tab) is an international non-profit organization that provides relief and medical care to those affected by the Syrian conflict. The organization issued a statement calling for emergency funding for aid and rescue resources in the face of overwhelming need at local hospitals and medical facilities.

Syrian American Medical Association (SAMS)(opens in new tab)

of Syrian American Medical Association(opens in new tab) is a global medical relief organization that provides resources and assistance to conflict-affected communities in Syria. The organization has launched a specific fundraiser for earthquake relief and has already reached its $100,000 goal of $78,000. Donations are used to support hospitals and medical facilities, such as providing patient evacuation, emergency aid, and other medical care.

International Blue Crescent Relief

of International Blue Crescent Trust Development Foundation(opens in new tab) (IBC) is a Turkey-based humanitarian aid and development NGO that provides “Emergency Relief, Rehabilitation, Development and Risk Reduction to the International Community”. The organization has a network of teams operating in Kilis, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras and Sanlıurfa, many of which are already supporting local government relief efforts.

and official statement(opens in new tab)the organization will use monetary donations to provide “tens of thousands of tents, heaters for tents, tens of thousands of blankets, winter clothing, ready food for at least 5,000 people, and basic first aid kits. said it would provide funding for

unicef ​​usa(opens in new tab)

UNICEF field office teams have already been deployed to assess the situation in Turkey and Syria, deliver urgent relief supplies and initiate a rapid response. They will focus on the needs of his four areas:

• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). This includes assessing impacts on key water points, disruption/damage to services and providing water assistance to displaced persons.

• child protection.Includes evaluation of separated or unaccompanied children

• nutrition

• Assessment of damage in schools and education, including whether schools are being used as shelters

Doctors Without Borders / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)(opens in new tab)

international humanitarian organizations Doctors Without Borders(opens in new tab) Mobilized in Syria to attend to the medical needs of earthquake victims. The organization is currently treating patients in Idlib, northern Syria, Coordination of emergency medical kits and additional support for health agencies(opens in new tab) and other facilities.

Tweet may have been deleted
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)

white helmet(opens in new tab) (Syrian Civil Defense)

The White Helmets, also known as Syrian Civil Defense, is a national volunteer organization that provides humanitarian and emergency assistance to conflict-torn areas. The group declared a state of emergency in northwestern Syria early Monday morning, and White Helmets teams are already supporting search and rescue operations across the region.

Tweet may have been deleted
(opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)

global giving(opens in new tab)

global giving(opens in new tab) is a nonprofit-run platform that connects donors with other nonprofits.To help with earthquake relief, GlobalGiving Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief Fund(opens in new tab)raise funds locally for our non-profit partners.

According to the organization, donations “help first responders meet the immediate needs of survivors for food, fuel, clean water, medicine and shelter,” as well as psychosocial and mental health support and It also helps with financial relief.GlobalGiving sets aside extra funds for long-term restoration work by vetted local organizations in the region.

save the children(opens in new tab)

international NGOs save the children(opens in new tab) has an on-site team to assist earthquake victims and assess the impact of lost homes, buildings, and critical infrastructure. The organization is working with partner organizations in northwestern Syria and has established a response team in Turkey.

The organization provides access to food, primarily for affected children, Shelter, winter clothes.

Humanity and Inclusion(opens in new tab)

Humanity and Inclusion(opens in new tab) is an international victim assistance and disability rights organization that provides humanitarian assistance and long-term assistance to survivors of conflict and individuals experiencing extreme hardship.

The organization is currently Response team based in Syria(opens in new tab), provide rehabilitation and mental health or psychosocial support. It is also deployed with the United Nations through the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) and participates in international emergency medical teams to provide rapid emergency services.

project hope(opens in new tab)

Project HOPE is a global health and humanitarian organization that connects healthcare providers with communities around the world to meet immediate and long-term health needs.Through its global emergency response team, organizations can Providing medical supplies and assistance(opens in new tab) To both Turkish and Syrian communities.

world food program(opens in new tab)

Affiliates of United Nations World Food Program(opens in new tab)contains world food program usa(opens in new tab), help provide food assistance to communities around the world. The organization now provides monthly food to her 5.6 million people in Syria and assists millions of refugees currently settling in Turkey. The program is currently collecting donations from the global community to distribute basic needs and emergency food.

oxfam(opens in new tab)

oxfam(opens in new tab) is a global organization working to end poverty and gender inequality.The organization’s international team and partners in both Turkey and Syria were organized shortly after(opens in new tab) of the first earthquake to initiate search and rescue operations and other humanitarian efforts. Teams have also been dispatched to 80 women’s cooperatives based in 10 of her provinces in Turkey to help coordinate response plans.

action aid(opens in new tab)

international agency action aid(opens in new tab) Provide immediate service(opens in new tab) In the community after the first earthquake, including food, shelter and winter clothing. The organization’s response is largely driven by women and youth, ActionAid said, prioritizing highly vulnerable groups such as refugees, female-headed households and people with disabilities. Other services include dignity kits for menstruating people and safe spaces for women and girls.

Updated: February 6, 2023 at 1:24 PM EST This article has been updated with additional organizations providing emergency relief in Turkey and Syria.