The devastating news reached our screens on Monday morning of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake striking South Eastern Turkey and Northern Syria. The death toll has risen to 11 thousand people, and a total of 700 more earthquakes followed since the first one. While it might seem far away for us safely tucked away on the British Isles, the suffering experienced by the natural disaster should not be ignored. So, we’ve gathered up a list of charities as well as places to donate locally.
Charities To Donate To Online
1. The British Red Cross
The British Red Cross is one of the main ones to donate to from the UK, providing essential care to those injured with emergency first aid, as well as evacuation. It’s operated by The Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) locally, who have launched a crisis response operation and mobilised teams in more than 10 regions across Turkey, and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent is aiding those in need in the regions of Hama, Aleppo and Lattakia affected by the earthquake.
You can make a donation here.
2. Molham Volunteering Team
Molham Team is a licensed non-profit NGO to provide help for the refugees in North West Syria and Counties of Asylum. They basically gather together volunteers from all counties and organisations who can send rescue teams to help save the thousands of people that have been under the rubble for more than 24 hours now in North West Syria after the disastrous earthquake hit in the early hours of Monday morning.
You can make a donation here.
3. AFAD
AFAD is the Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency with 81 provincial branches and 11 search and rescue units. This is one of the main places to donate to, as they develop earthquake response strategies countrywide, and cooperate with other government institutions as well as non-governmental organizations when needed. You can donate to the current AFAD earthquake campaign here.
4. AKUT Search And Rescue Organisation
Search and rescue efforts are one of the main ways to help preserve as many lives as possible after an earthquake. AKUT Search and Rescue Organisation has helped 39 people from under the collapsed buildings so far, and time is of the essence for them to be able to continue with the efforts. You can make a donation here.
5. UN Crisis Relief
UN Crisis Relief provides urgent rescue efforts for those affected by disasters and crisis around the world. The Turkey-Syria earthquake is no exception, and it is one of the most reliable organisations to donate to. Search and rescue teams have deployed to assess and prioritize urgent needs and to provide life-saving support to those affected. You can donate here.
Local Donation Spots In Glasgow
On top of donating online, you can also donate winter clothes and other equipment to an organisation in Scotland called ATAS, which stands for the Association of Turkish Alumni and Students in Scotland. They are accepting winter clothes, such as: coats, jumpers, gloves, hats, unused underwear, boots, trousers, scarves and unused socks to send over to the affected areas in Turkey.
The organisation is also accepting items such as tents, blankets, thermos flasks, powerbanks, canned food, mattresses, sleeping bags, torches, sanitary products, baby food and diapers. However, be quick and call ahead as item collection stops tomorrow (February 9).
Collections Spots
Flat 4, 8 Riverview Gardens, G5 8EL (Call 07961498012 until midnight)
Est-ethics Clinic, 170 Ingram Street Street Italian Centre, G11 DN