How your organization can help victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake with donations, engage your workforce with volunteering to contribute to the relief efforts.
- On ground situation after the devastating earthquake
- How organizations can help with donations and volunteering
- Nonprofits you can support
The webinar provided a comprehensive overview of the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Northern Syria. Heather Sonya Üner, Programs Development Coordinator, IBC, detailed the urgent relief efforts, including shelters, food, medical supplies, and hygiene kits. Immediate action focuses on rescue and relief, while medium- and long-term plans emphasize rebuilding infrastructure, supporting education, and psychosocial care. Companies can contribute via financial support, material donations, and volunteer initiatives, working with IBC for efficient delivery and compliance.
Q: Introduction and current situation on the ground
A: Heather Sonya Üner, Programs Development Coordinator, International Blue Crescent (IBC) Relief and Development Foundation, explained that Turkey experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6, followed by violent aftershocks. Infrastructure is severely damaged, roads are impassable, cellphone service is disrupted, and extreme cold and snow are causing deaths from exposure and dehydration. Northern Syria faces catastrophic destruction with hospitals destroyed, cholera outbreaks, and poor water and hygiene systems.
IBC operates from Gaziantep, Urfa, and Kilis, distributing blankets, hot meals, food parcels, diapers, winterized tents, prefabricated homes, and medical supplies. Cross-border aid is being sent to Northwest Syria following the opening of the UN border crossing.
Q: How can companies help?
A: Financial contributions are the most effective and immediate form of support, facilitated through platforms like Goodera and GlobalGiving. Volunteers in Istanbul or Izmir can assist with sorting, packing, and distributing materials under government coordination (AFAD).
Q: Immediate and short-term needs
A: Priorities include:
- Rescue and recovery: saving lives
- Shelter and warmth: tents, blankets, winter clothing
- Basic necessities: torches, power banks, baby supplies, medicine, stretchers, wheelchairs
Q: Medium- and long-term needs
- Medium-term (2–4 weeks): food distribution (ready-to-eat meals), prefabricated camps, blankets, hygiene kits, first aid kits
- Long-term: rebuilding homes and infrastructure, education for children, psychosocial support, livelihood restoration
Q: Northern Syria situation
Immediate priorities: warm clothing, winter supplies, food, medicine, and primary/trauma medical kits. IBC is distributing food parcels and medical supplies directly.
Q: Material sourcing guidance
- Medical supplies and medicines often need to come from abroad
- Prefabricated housing and tents can be sourced locally
- IBC facilitates humanitarian customs exemptions for imports
Q: Coordination with other agencies
IBC works closely with:
- AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Turkey)
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)
- International Development Relief Foundation (Canada)
- Local cooperatives and UN NGO forums
Q: Education and child-focused interventions
Portable classrooms with educators, materials, and IT support are being set up. All efforts consider age, gender, ability, and other special considerations.
Q: How companies can contribute meaningfully
- Financial support for immediate and long-term needs
- Material donations: winter clothing, blankets, medical supplies
- Support camp operations, education, and recovery activities
- Partner with IBC to navigate customs and logistics
