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This article was originally published by Condé Nast Traveler UK.
Two powerful earthquakes have caused devastating damage and are estimated to have killed nearly 5,000 people in southeast Turkey and northern Syria. This is also in a region host to millions of refugees who have fled Syria's war. Support is urgently needed as rescuers search for survivors in the rubble of thousands of collapsed buildings, as many hospitals themselves need to be evacuated to ensure the wellbeing of patients and staff.
Rescue efforts are continuing amid freezing temperatures. The best way to support the communities affected right now is to fund the global relief charities providing medical services and essentials such as food, water and sanitation services after two quakes registering as 7.8 and 7.7 magnitudes on the Richter scale have straddled the border. Many cities are without power, and it’s still too early to know the extent of the damage.
So how can we help?
Donate to global relief organizations if you can
You can help the victims of these earthquakes, and those affected by the damaging 100-plus aftershocks, by supporting the efforts of these charities through much-needed financial donations for emergency supplies — and by sharing this article with anyone you think might want to help fund these relief endeavors.
The Intrepid Foundation, the not-for-profit from travel operators Intrepid Travel, has launched an emergency appeal. They've committed £58,000 to support immediate relief, and will match donations. The foundation has partnered with Australian Red Cross to get immediate and longer-term relief to communities affected, working with Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Donate now to theintrepidfoundation.org
Oxfam says: 'Southern Turkey has been heavily affected, especially areas around Gaziantep and Hatay/Antakya. These are major hubs for NGOs supporting Syria through cross-border humanitarian operations. The earthquake also hit areas in North West Syria, which continue to be heavily affected by the conflict and host the majority of the 6.7 million Syrians who have had to leave their homes. Oxfam’s response in Syria is currently supporting 1.5 million people.'
Donate now to oxfam.org.uk
Turkish Red Crescent is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, the country's largest humanitarian initiative, and they are on the ground now offering food and shelter.
Donate now to kizilay.org.tr
Humanity & Inclusion is an NGO working hard to ensure that people with disabilities and new injuries receive the specific care they need: “We expect a huge need for rehabilitation. There are thousands of injured people, and many of these injuries may worsen or turn into permanent disabilities if they do not receive appropriate rehabilitation services. In addition, people have suffered significant trauma and will need psychosocial support.”
Donate now to humanity-inclusion.org.uk
Doctors Without Borders – also known as Médecins Sans Frontières – is responding to this disaster through their teams working in northwestern Syria and are working with local partners on the ground.
Donate now to donate.doctorswithoutborders.org
UNICEF is working in an area where four million Syrians depend on humanitarian aid, and they are helping unaccompanied children find their families in the world’s biggest refugee host country. “That the initial earthquake happened so early in the morning, when many children were fast asleep, made it even more dangerous, and the aftershocks bring continuing risks. Our hearts and thoughts are with the children and families affected, especially those who have lost loved ones or who have been injured. Our immediate priority is to ensure children and families affected receive the support they so desperately need.”
Donate now to unicef.org.uk
Save the Children is one of the international charities mobilizing support in the areas in need and helping children and families in the regions hit by this disaster where a crisis has hit an area already experiencing an existing crisis. “This is one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in 100 years and made thousands homeless, while the region is experiencing freezing weather and snowstorms. Schools in the affected areas are now closed for a week. Our teams are moving quickly to check all our staff are safe, and to respond to the emergency, but it's crucial that the international community acts now to provide support to the thousands of people in need,” says Sasha Ekanayake, Save the Children Türkiye.
Donate now to savethechildren.org.uk
SAMS (Syrian American Medical Society) is a global medical relief effort providing crisis relief in Syria and beyond.
Donate now to sams-usa.net
How else can you help?
Please help raise awareness about the organizations in need of funds, and share these links with your friends and family to donate through official channels — we will update this page as more information becomes available.
