The catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Turkey on February 6, 2023 brought ruin to countless homes and businesses in its wake. This tragedy has taken the lives of 22,000 people thus far at Gaziantep–the epicenter which is home to millions of Syrian refugees–and left thousands injured or missing among other displaced persons. To this day 104 hours later, Turkish authorities fear that the death toll will continue to climb even higher as it becomes one of the deadliest earthquakes recorded in over a hundred years for this region.
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Turkey needs immediate help
Numerous aftershocks have been recorded after the record earthquake, and rescue efforts are currently being made in cities along the Turkish-Syrian border as it is bitterly cold and snowing. During this terrible time, immediate support is needed with shelter relief, basic food, drink, warm clothing, first aid, hygiene kits, and much more.
Relief Fund for Turkey, HHRD in the Region
HHRD has launched a $5 million appeal to aid the Turkish victims. Just days after the disaster struck, team members and senior personnel from our office in Jordan in the MENA region arrived in Turkey. They have served in Diyarbakir and Kahramanmaras in the last two days and have delivered meals to over 12,000 clients. They are now on the ground coordinating activities with local verified partner organizations. Volunteers and locals organize development and relief efforts in the area for Turkish citizens and Syrian and Uyghur refugees through HHRD’s programs. Support our efforts to soothe the people of Türkiye at this time of great need by contributing to providing relief to them.
Check out the HHRD website for more about the Turkey relief campaign.