The disaster in Türkiye and Syria feels close to me. My Turkish teacher is from one of the affected provinces and has lost many friends and family members. I have always enjoyed Gaziantep, and while I haven’t had a chance to visit Syria, it also has a deep significance for me as a place of rich history and culture. When I read the news of the earthquake, my heart is breaking. I keep asking myself what can I do to help?
I put together a few links to charities that are collecting funds. If you have other suggestions, please let me know in the comments.
Doctors Without Borders and Care are two excellent reputable organizations and they are collecting donations.
Turkish Philanthropy Funds works with the Türkiye Earthquake Relief Fund to allocate funds to survivors. They also provide long-term assistance to help residents recover and rebuild.
The White Helmets is an incredible organization with much experience working directly with local communities in Syria. Northwestern Syria has been heavily impacted by the earthquake, not to mention that the region has already been devastated by the war. Tragically, little aid has been reaching Syria, so donating to an organization that works directly on the ground is best.
The Syrian American Medical Society is based in the United States and is another group that delivers emergency aid in Syria.
This brings me to another organization, The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations. It focuses on helping Syrian refugees in Turkey as well as providing aid within Syria. Syria already suffered immense devastation during the war and the tragedy unfolding there now is beyond belief.
One of the reputable organizations that works with local communities in Turkey is AHBAP. It was founded by the Turkish singer Haluk Levent and is accepting cryptocurrency, in addition to the more traditional forms of payment. It’s doing a commendable job and is recommended by my Turkish friends as well as my Turkish readers.
Save the Children is focusing on helping children in the affected regions. It’s also currently collecting donations.
Photography by Bois de Jasmin: roses, the flowers I associate with both Turkey and Syria.
24 Comments
Nikos: It’s the second time I’m making a donation through the links you provide Victoria. First time was of course for Ukraine. When such tragedies occur it can be overwhelming to find the right organizations to support when you don’t already know. So thank you for giving us the chance to be of help. No matter how big or small I am sure it matters greatly. Wishing for better days ahead for everyone. Greetings from Greece February 10, 2023 at 7:41am
Victoria: It’s indeed overwhelming. One wants to do something, but it’s also important to donate wisely and select the organizations that help the local communities. Hope that this list offers a starting point. February 10, 2023 at 8:31am
OperaFan: Thank you for posting these links Victoria – I trust your discernment and have used it in the past when choosing organizations for other causes. I’ve heard of the White Helmets and the important work they are doing in Syria, so am starting with them (with more to follow). Warmest wishes as always. February 10, 2023 at 9:57am
Victoria: It’s an excellent organization and a donation to them would be a good idea. February 13, 2023 at 4:29am
OperaFan: Done.
My husband routinely donates to MSF. As Episcopalians, we also donate to the Episcopal Relief and Development fund, just one of many religious outreach programs that provide aid to the underprivileged and victims or war and disasters worldwide.
Not to tout our own outreach as much as to look to your own networks for opportunity to contribute. February 13, 2023 at 10:37am
Victoria: Thank you very much for mentioning. Someone else might consider contributing through their own network. February 13, 2023 at 10:39am
hajusuuri: We have a matching gift program at work. The organizations vetted to receive funds include: United States Fund for UNICEF, International Rescue Committee, Inc. and American National Red Cross. Donors outside of the U.S. and U.K. are encouraged to discuss donations with a tax advisor. February 10, 2023 at 10:03am
Victoria: Those are all respectable and good organizations, but I think that an individual donation goes a longer way when made to organizations with smaller overhead costs. For this reason, I like Doctors without Borders. They’re well-known for having a slim organization, without too much bureaucracy. February 13, 2023 at 4:31am
hajusuuri: I reserve Doctors Without Borders for my November giving to leverage the double-match. With these, my donations are matched so hopefully, they are getting funds even though the amount may be less but still doubled. February 13, 2023 at 6:33am
Victoria: That’s a good idea!
Yes, indeed, anything one gives makes a difference. February 13, 2023 at 10:00am
rainboweyes: Good idea! I support Doctors Without Borders on a regular monthly basis but I might add another extra donation in November… February 13, 2023 at 12:33pm
Saadet Isildar: Sevgili Victoria, bu zor zamanda biz Türkiye vatandaşları ve komşumuz Suriye için yaptığınız bu paylaşım beni çok duygulandırdı. Ben 23 yıldır Kanada’da yaşıyorum, buraya taşınmamda bir etken de yaşadığım 1999 depremi. Çok yıkıcı bir travma idi, şu anda televizyonda Türkiye’den yapılan yayınları izlerken oradaki insanların neler yaşadığını çok iyi anlıyorum. Size çok çok teşekkür ederim bu gösterdiğiniz ilgi ve hassasiyet için. February 10, 2023 at 3:23pm
Victoria: Sevgili Saadet, size katılıyorum. Çok yıkıcı bir travma idi. Birkaç deprem atlatan İranlı arkadaşımla konuştum ama o hiç böyle bir şey görmemişti. Bu çok trajik ve zor bir durum. Umarım Türkiye’deki arkadaşlarınız ve aileniz güvendedir. February 13, 2023 at 4:37am
Matty Maccaro: World Central Kitchen is already in both Syria & Turkey giving cooked food to all. This charity
https://wck.org/
has a 100% rating, all money goes directly to those they serve. Headed by Jose Andreas, who has been nominated for World Peace Prize for his work feeding people in all the disasters world wide. February 11, 2023 at 12:54pm
Victoria: Thank you very much, Matty. February 13, 2023 at 4:28am
Notturno7: Thank you, Victoria. I’ve been sending to Doctors Without Borders ever since you had that perfume giveaway connected with donations to them.
I’m thinking of sending you a bottle of one of my fragrances so we can do another one. February 12, 2023 at 4:25pm
Victoria: I will do another fundraiser soon, so I will post about it. February 13, 2023 at 4:28am
Notturno7: Another fundraiser sounds wonderful, dear Victoria ❤️🙌 February 13, 2023 at 4:48am
Diana: My deepest gratitude to all here! Thank you Victoria. – February 12, 2023 at 5:23pm
Victoria: Thank you, Diana! February 13, 2023 at 4:27am
rainboweyes: Berivan Aymaz – the vice president of the government of North-Rhine Westphalia – recommends Medico International, an organisation that already is engaged in numerous humanitary aid programmes in Northern Syria and Turkey
https://www.medico.de/en/ February 14, 2023 at 2:23am
Victoria: Thank you very much! February 15, 2023 at 5:45am
tomatefarcie: rescue.org International Rescue Committee February 14, 2023 at 2:15pm
Victoria: Thank you! February 15, 2023 at 5:45am