Earthquakes in Turkey & Syria Response

On February 6^th, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria, followed by  aftershocks as strong as 7.5.  Tragically, the death toll has risen to over 20,000 people and over 78,000 injured as recovery efforts continue.  Nonprofit organizations from all around the globe have begun disaster relief efforts to help with food, water, shelter, healthcare, heat, and essential supplies.   

In times like these, we all want to find ways to help.  One of the easiest and most impactful ways to help is to donate to organizations that are on the ground providing needed disaster relief.  Monetary donations should only be made to fully vetted sites and organizations.  Charity Navigator provides information on organizations, as well as ratings for more than 9,000 charities.  

Note: While Baylor University is supportive of the relief efforts currently being conducted by these organizations, Baylor University is not affiliated with them. 

The following organizations already have teams working and/or preparing supplies for the region:

• Convoy of Hope 
  • 4 star rating (Charity Navigator)
  • Relief supplies are in route to the region
  • To donate

• Matthew 25: Ministries
  • 4 star rating (Charity Navigator)
  • Shipping supplies, including medical and personal care items, clothing, and blankets
  • To donate

• Doctors without Borders
  • 4 star rating (Charity Navigator)
  • Extra medical teams have been dispatched to the hardest hit areas and they’re distributing emergency kits, medical supplies, blankets, hygiene kits
  • To donate

• Water Mission
  • 4 star rating (Charity Navigator)
  • Deploying disaster response team to assess safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of those impacted
  • To donate

• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
  • World’s largest humanitarian network
  • Deployed teams with the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Red Crescent with emergency supplies, providing first aid, distributing hot meals, providing psychological support, and sending its stock of blood and plasma.
  • To donate

• Charity Navigator's list of highly rated nonprofits providing relief to Turkey and Syria

Other ways to help

• GIVE - Giving money is one of the best ways you can immediately respond. Support relief agencies that are responding directly to help individuals and communities affected.

• LEARN - Follow news coverage and take time to learn what the needs are. Follow social media and stay tuned to reports from the scene. Responders will be quick to share what is needed (and what is not). Don't show up to volunteer uninvited, as your presence may interfere with recovery efforts and distract responders. Once you learn what the needs are, there are several ways you can help (e.g., donate blood, hold a collection drive for requested items, etc.)

• PREPARE - Do you have a desire to be more hands-on? Consider training to become a disaster response volunteer. Invest in learning valuable skills, knowledge, and protocol so that agencies can deploy you to help when disaster strikes.

• PRAY - Lift up the individuals, families, and communities affected in prayer. Pray for God's comfort and mercy, His healing and protection, His relief and restoration. Recovery is often a long-term process and continues long after the media leaves.

Additional Resources

Do your research to determine if organizations are legitimate. Charity Navigator lists reputable organizations. Great Nonprofits and Give Well has reviews of nonprofit groups and can help you see how much of your money goes directly to relief.