How You Can Help People Affected by the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Vacationer Magazine talks to Oguz Angin, an out Turkish-American man, about the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and we provide ways you can help.

If you haven’t been watching the news lately, then you may not know earthquakes struck near the border of Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing more than 12,000 people and injuring thousands of others. The first earthquake, which was a magnitude of 7.8, is one of the strongest to hit the region in the last century.

According to Time.com, Turkey is the world’s biggest refugee host country. About 3.6 million Syrian refugees live in the nation following the Syrian Civil War, and many of the refugees live in southeastern Turkey where the earthquakes occurred. First responders are trying to rescue people trapped under the rubble of toppled buildings. 

The U.K. promised to send a team of 76 search and rescue specialists and rescue dogs to Turkey. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it had deployed a disaster assistance response team to assist Turkish authorities with search and rescue. 

Homosexuality is legal in Turkey, but it is a conservative culture, whereas being gay in Syria is not legal, according to Equaldex. Regardless of their stance on LGBTQ+ rights, it’s always good to help out those in need, including those in our LGBTQ+ fam who may have relatives or friends directly affected by the natural disaster.

“What is so humbling is the east is the poorest part of the country and these people already don’t have much.” Oguz Angin

Vacationer Magazine talked to out San Diego resident, Oguz Angin, who said thankfully, his family is safe because they live on the west coast of Turkey. However, a few of his close friends’ families located in Antep, Antakya, Mersin, and Adana, were impacted.  

“One of my closest friends’ two aunts were pulled alive from the ruins in Antakya, and she has not heard from an uncle or two cousins,” said Angin. “Another close friend’s dad and family are in Antep. His dad survived the quake, but the apartment is ruined, and he’s scared to go back in. It is cold (20°-40°F) and millions of people have no homes.” He continues, “What is so humbling is the east is the poorest part of the country and these people already don’t have much.”

To help, Angin recommended donating to AFAD (Turkey’s official Disaster and Emergency Management), AKUT (A voluntary search, assistance, and rescue organization), and AHBAP (One of the most active voluntary networks active in the affected regions) to help.

We also decided to pull together a list of organizations that need your help!

Syrian American Medical Society – This relief organization works on the front lines of the crisis. One of their hospitals has been closed due to damages caused by the temblors. They are asking for donations to purchase trauma supplies and continue to provide emergency aid to their patients.  

UNICEF – The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund mobilized aid to Syria, focusing on assessing the impact of the quake on water stations, schools, and other services. Helping unaccompanied children find their families is also a priority. 

White Helmets – This nonprofit organization of 3,000 volunteers who help the Syrian community, said they need more equipment and supplies to continue numerous search and rescue operations in the region. 

Turkish Red Crescent – With more than 240 staff and hundreds of volunteers in the region, this organization is providing mobile kitchen and catering services to the region, according to a press release. They are also sending over tents, blankets, and beds. 

International Rescue Committee – This organization responds to the most serious humanitarian crises and works in more than 40 countries. IRC officials say their teams are on the ground to ensure and well-being of their staff, local partners, and more importantly those affected.

Save the Children – Save the Children is working in northwest Syria and Turkey to assess aid needed and planning to support affected communities with emergency kits amid the harsh winter weather. Click on the “Save the Children” link above to contribute to their Children’s Emergency Fund. 

Global Giving, Project Hope, Humanitarian Relief Foundation, and Doctors Without Borders are other organizations that need your help.