How to Help with the Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Sending Relief

Following the tremendous earthquakes that hit the Eastern seaboard of the Mediterranean in early February 2023, Turkey and Syria have been left with the devastating aftermath. The destruction has left many families homeless, injured, and seeking refuge. The death toll continues to rise as more people are being found trapped in the surrounding rubble. Located in the Northern hemisphere, the afflicted populations are also battling the hardships of Winter. What is now being called the Kahramanmaras earthquake has disrupted the lives of thousands, and our hearts go out to all those impacted.

Many Americans have also felt the effects of the disaster with worry for the safety of family and friends in the impacted areas. The husband of Apicha’s very own Director of Dental Services, Dr. Jesse Barrett, DDS, grew up in Turkey and has been concerned for those affected back home.

“While thankfully he doesn't have any family in the affected area, he did grow up there. Diyarbakir is his hometown and one of the cities with widespread destruction. He does know many people who were directly affected by the quake.”
~Dr. Jesse Barrett, DDS

Being over 5,000 miles away, lending aid to these countries may seem unattainable. However, there are ways to offer aid both physically and monetarily. Local and global organizations such as the Turkish Consulate General in New York, UNICEF, and the Syrian American Medical Society have begun accepting donations to send to those requiring assistance. If you would like to join Apicha in helping those in need, below are some organizations accepting aid. We make the world stronger when we come together as a community, no matter how far apart.

MONETARY DONATIONS:

Anything you can give will help as the conversion rate from USD to Turkish Lira is at a high right now (1 USD= 18-19 TL).

1) AKUT: A voluntary, non-governmental organization involved in searching, assisting, and rescuing victims

2) AHBAP: Local voluntary network composed of 200 philanthropists and 30,000 volunteers on board (Currently in the area building container houses)

3) OXFAM: A global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice

4) AFAD: Turkey’s official disaster and emergency management authority

5) Turkish Philanthropy Funds: The leading U.S. community foundation for high-impact social investments dedicated to Turkish and Turkish-American communities

6) Syrian American Medical Society: Non-profit, non-political, humanitarian organization representing healthcare professionals throughout the U.S. and beyond

7) UNICEF: An agency of the United Nations that administers programs to aid children

8) Global Giving: A nonprofit that connects other nonprofits in every country in the world to support their needs

9) IFRC: The world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching people during and after disasters and health emergencies

10) Save the Children: A global organization dedicated to protecting children from harm

11) Doctors Without Borders: A humanitarian medical non-governmental organization that provides care for people affected by disasters and disease outbreaks

12) CARE: An international humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and aiming to achieve social justice

SUPPLY DONATIONS:
Turkish Consulate General in New York is shipping all the supplies to the affected areas every day (Twitter: @TRConsulNY)

New York
Shipping/ drop-off (until 9:00 PM every day):

Turkish House, 821 UN Plaza, First Avenue, New York, NY, 10017

New Jersey
Drop-off (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM every day):

TSM BRAND LLC, 300-2 Route 17 South, Unit D Lodi, New Jersey

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• Splint- Cast materials
• Cervical collars
• Laceration Repair Kits
• Sutures (3-0, 4-0, 5-0 Prolene preferred)
• Antibiotic ointments (including ophthalmic)
• Antiseptics and disinfectants
• Elastic and gauze bandages in different sizes
• Scalpel, blade holders, blades
• 1 L normal saline bag
• 1 L D5W bag
• 500 cc D20W bag
• 1 L LR bag
• Magnesium sulfate
• Sodium bicarbonate amps
• 5% albumin
• Tape
• Gauze in different sizes
• Syringes, needles, IV lines
• Masks
• Bed sheets that can be cut and used as bandages
• Scissors
• Inflatable splint for arms and legs
• Flashlight, batteries
• Wet and Cold compresses
• Plastic cutlery
• Knife
• Mats
• Duct tape
• Power banks

Image Source: USA Today, OZAN KOSE, AFP via Getty Images