How you can help after the Turkey-Syria Earthquake

Many people have asked for trusted charities that are getting aid to those on the ground here in the regions of Turkey and Syria affected by the devastating earthquakes on February 6, 2023. I’ve started to add links to just a few of the organizations that I’ve either donated to personally or know to be trustworthy and effective. I’ll try to keep this updated as I learn of others – this is just a start. If you’d like to translate your currency to Turkish lira you can use the converter here, but keep in mind that any amount helps!

Even though my heart is breaking at the vast scale of the devastation and loss of lives and homes, I am touched by the concern from friends abroad and inspired by the way that the community here has come together in a time of such overwhelming and collective grief and trauma. Geçmiş olsun, Türkiye. 

>> You can also check out this ongoing list and resource page from Jennifer Hattam, a journalist based in Istanbul.

Search & Rescue

• AKUT (Turkey) – AKUT is the Turkish volunteer search and rescue organization. View their values and mission statement and donate by bank transfer or credit card. 
• The White Helmets (Syrian Civil Defense) – Getting resources to victims in Syria was already difficult due to the war and displacement of millions of refugees. This group is made up of volunteers who work hard to save as many lives as possible. Check their this link for official bank account numbers to donate.

Disaster aid

• Ahbap Platform – Ahbap is the organization most trusted by my Turkish friends. Founded by Turkish musician Haluk Levent, they are accepting donations by bank transfer or credit card and even via cryptocurrencies. To avoid scams, please use the direct links on the site to donate and as with any of the Turkish organizations I recommend using Google translate on your browser to make the process easier.  
• World Central Kitchen – I personally donate to WCK monthly because of their disaster assistance all over the world. Led by chef Jose Andres, they mobilize quickly by connecting with chefs and restaurants in the affected areas to feed those who are displaced and also those involved in the search and rescue and humanitarian relief that follows. You can keep up with their efforts on social media as well.
• HAYTAP – this beloved nonprofit distributes pet food and assists victims with pets who need to find shelter. Donate here. 

From my personal network

•  Ozlem’s Turkish Table has been my go-to for turkish recipes for years. Ozlem’s beautiful cookbook is a love letter to her hometown of Antakya, Hatay, which has been destroyed by the earthquakes. The recipes in the cookbook are beautifully photographed, easy to follow and delicious. Please consider purchasing a copy for yourself or buying one as a gift. She is sending all proceeds to disaster relief efforts. (Details here). 
• A student of mine shared this GoFundMe for a close friend’s family in Adiyaman, where they are trying to recover after losing more than 20 relatives in the earthquakes. Please consider making a donation here. 

Other ways to help

• Product donations and gift cards – Nearly all the big shopping platforms here have gift card and wish list options you can purchase for the charity you’d like to support or options to buy supplies and have them delivered directly. International credit cards are accepted, so this is also a good way to donate from abroad – use Google Translate in your browser for help with the process. Trendyol | Hepsiburada | Migros | Amazon Turkiye
• I’m keeping links to these and other resources and fundraisers in my Instagram stories, please feel free to follow me there. 

If you’re in Turkey

• Connect with your belediye and muhtar – You can contact them directly, or check their social media pages as current needs lists are being updated frequently. Because of the large scale of donations people are asked to follow the needs lists as closely as possible. Although well-meaning, second hand blankets and clothing are slowing down some of the donation drives because they require sorting or may not be accepted for hygiene reasons, so you may want to consider purchasing items or gift cards through the retailers listed above if you don’t have items on the current list of needs.
• Uber is offering free pickup of donations items and transporting volunteer blood donors. Details here.
• Kizilay – consider blood donation in the days, weeks and months to come as the need will be ongoing.

Preparedness and Safety

• Yabangee has a guide to Istanbul Earthquake Preparedness with good general tips as well as things related to Istanbul and Turkey.
• The Red Cross has a resource page with tips including how to prepare an emergency kit, create an evacuation plan and what to do during an earthquake. Red Cross – Earthquake Preparedness Tips

Self care & psychological resources

• Staying calm in a crisis (CDC)

>> Know of another resource I’m missing? Please feel free to leave a comment and I’ll add it to this ongoing list. Thank you for your concern and support.