5 Ways to Help Those Affected By the Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Since a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on Monday, the death toll has already surpassed 3,500 in Turkey and 1,700 in Syria, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declaring a three-month state of emergency in the 10 provinces most severely affected. Freezing conditions in the region have made it especially difficult for rescue workers to identify and locate survivors, while sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government make it difficult for Syria to receive international aid.

That said, there are ways in which those concerned about the safety of Turkey and Syria’s populations can donate to the search-and-rescue effort and help survivors rebuild their lives; below, find five ways that you can help those affected by the Turkey/Syria earthquake.

White Helmets

This volunteer organization, also known as Syria Civil Defense, is leading the charge to search for survivors and rescue people still trapped in rubble; you can donate here to help these first responders save lives.

Doctors Without Borders

This medical organization is working to provide support to overwhelmed hospitals in northern Syria and donate blankets and other essentials to displaced people affected by the earthquake; you can donate to aid in their mission here.

UNICEF

UNICEF’s emergency response in Turkey and Syria focuses on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), child protection services, nutrition and education, as well as protecting unaccompanied children and reuniting families; to help, donate here.

The Syrian American Medical Society

This U.S.-based humanitarian group saw major damage to one of its hospitals in northwest Syria, and is now collecting funds for trauma supplies and other potentially life-saving necessities; you can donate here to help them in that effort.

Global Giving

A fund established by this humanitarian nonprofit will help survivors access food, clean water, shelter, and medicine in the aftermath of the Turkey/Syria earthquake, and eventually shift to reconstruction efforts in the area once those immediate needs are met; to help raise funds, donate here.