The earthquake in southern Turkey/northwest Syria this week is beyond our worst nightmares. In addition to offering our prayers, one way we can respond is by supporting the relief organizations listed below: (Most of these recommendations came from PBS.)
- UNICEF is on the ground in Turkey and Syria helping children and families in the aftermath of two devastating earthquakes.
- World Central Kitchen has set up operations in Türkiye, delivering fresh meals to families displaced and local authorities stretched thin due to the scale of the disaster.
- Humanity & Inclusion plans to expand its team in Syria to help provide mental health and rehabilitation services and will be deploying some rehab specialists to Turkey to aid emergency care victims. It is accepting donations here.
- Mercy Corps is working to aid those affected in northwest Syria, a place of limited infrastructure where 1.8 million people are living in camps after being displaced by years of armed conflict.
- Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are working with health authorities to provide medical aid. To donate, click here.
- The Syrian American Medical Society is providing urgent medical care. Many hospitals in the region were already stretched thin, and others were damaged by the earthquakes. You can donate here or by texting EarthquakeSyria to 71777.
- Social justice organization CARE International is working to assess the most urgent needs in the area. Teams and partners are trying to deliver blankets, food, mattresses, tents and other non-food items to people in need amid harsh weather conditions, according to the organization. Donate here.
- The Turkish Red Crescent is accepting donations and providing nutritional services and blood supplies for those affected or wounded by the earthquakes. “We invite our citizens to donate blood,” said Dr. Kerem Kınık, the organization’s president.
- The nonprofit aid organization International Medical Corps is also accepting donations to make medical care and supplies available as part of the disaster response.
