Recently, Türkiye and Syria were struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes the region has experienced in nearly a century. The resulting destruction and loss of life are immense, making the scale of this humanitarian catastrophe difficult to grasp. Nevertheless, there are significant ways you can contribute to the relief efforts.
It is strongly recommended that anyone wishing to donate thoroughly investigate the organization they choose, paying close attention to the transparency of their fundraising initiatives.
AFAD (Türkiye`s Ministry of Interior – Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency), the official Turkish government body responsible for emergency response, is currently accepting contributions through designated accounts for the Earthquake Humanitarian Aid Campaign.
Numerous national and international organizations are actively involved in humanitarian operations on the ground. These include:
- The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), which accepts donations through its website, UNICEF.org, or national office platforms.
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), collecting funds for its Disaster Response Emergency Fund to provide immediate financial aid.
- Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), an organization dedicated to responding to global medical emergencies, is also accepting donations.
- Save the Children, gathering contributions for its Children Emergency Fund to supply children with essential food, shelter, and clothing.
- The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM), which has been delivering medical assistance and healthcare services within Syria and to Syrian refugees in Turkey since 2012, is also collecting donations.
The organizations listed above represent only a select few institutions known for their established track record and credible reputation for effective action. We reiterate the importance of conducting your own comprehensive research before making donations to any of these organizations or others.
