A statement from Houssam Al-Nahhas, MD, MPH (Middle East and North Africa Researcher Physicians for Human Rights)
“We express our profound sorrow and solidarity with communities in Syria and southeast Türkiye following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that has killed, injured, and displaced thousands of people. [The death toll is above 20,000 and rising]
The earthquake and aftershocks compound the crises that Syrians already endure. Nearly 12 years of war, atrocities, disease outbreaks, economic collapse, aid obstruction, and neglect have already battered the health system – and the critical care that people can access – in northern Syria.
Millions of Syrians were already living in limbo – the earthquake has made an existing disaster even more dire. Join PHR in supporting access to aid in Syria by signing our petition demanding immediate, unhindered humanitarian assistance to all communities affected by the earthquake, wherever and whoever they are. International actors must also prioritize reaching those who are hardest to reach, particularly in northwest Syria, which has been cut off from the outside world except for the lone international aid checkpoint with Türkiye at Bab-al-Hawa.
I’ve been in touch with health care professionals on the ground who have been witnessing the situation directly. Halima, a midwife in Syria, tearfully answered my questions and alluded to the fact that no humanitarian aid or rescue teams were sent to the region even after more than 24 hours since the occurrence of the earthquake. The border-crossing is still closed and the region is inaccessible for humanitarian workers from outside the country despite the devastation.
This sole aid crossing was never sufficient on its own, and now with Türkiye grappling with thousands of deaths and collapsed buildings, it is clear that a new mechanism to reach people in need in northwest Syria needs to be urgently needed implemented. PHR has been advocating for more sustainable humanitarian corridors to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the northwest of Syria for over a decade through visits with UNHRC, meeting with UN members states and documenting the impact of the instability of the humanitarian aid flow on affected populations. However, no additional crossings have been made available.”
For other ways to help those affiliated with the natural disaster, please follow the donation links to reliable organizations and other NYC donation drive locations below:
Humanitarian organizations on the ground in Turkey and Syria:
Islamic Relief
Humanitarian aid on the ground in turkey and Syria.
How to donate: https://irusa.org/middle-east/turkey/
Molham Team
One of the only NGO to provide aid in NW syria and counties of asylum
How to donate: https://molhamteam.com/campaigns/439?fbclid=PAAaZJZbGg_jYSiMvca4NyN3Ao3SkbxNKW1ugf983W9t-f5GArfsB0Idrjz-8
AKUT Search and Rescue Association
AKUT is a voluntary NGO, involved in searching, assisting, and rescuing all who require aid, with no political affiliation.
How to donate: They accept direct bank transfers.
AHBAP Foundation
A Turkish NGO aiming at providing financial and social aid to those in need, increasing and strengthening cooperation in communities and society.
How to donate: Donations can be made with credit cards and wire transfers through their donation account.
IFRC
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) and its membership are raising CHF 120 million in support of the Turkish Red Crescent's response.
How to donate: Donations can be made via credit and debit cards by visiting the page below and selecting "Türkiye Earthquake" from the list of emergency response campaigns.
ifrc.org/donate
OXFAM International
Oxfam is a British-founded confederation of 21 independent charitable organisations focusing on the alleviation of global poverty.
How to donate: You can donate via credit cards through their website with the currency of your choice.
oxfam.org/en/donate
The United Nations Refugee Agency
The UN Refugee Agency is providing on-the-ground assistance in affected areas of Turkey and Syria, and supplying necessary emergency items such as kitchen equipment, mattresses, and tents.
How to donate: Donations can be made via credit/debit cards and PayPal on the UNHCR website by choosing "Help Now" option in the
"Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Emergency" section.
unhcr.org
Save The Children
Save The Children is an international NGO, aiming at responding and caring for children in times of crisis.
How to donate: You can donate via credit/bank cards, Apple/Google Pay, and PayPal by clicking on the emergency alert on their website.
savethechildren.org
Proiect HOPE
An international global health and humanitarian aid NGO working in areas such as disasters, health crises, infectious diseases, and health policies.
How to donate: You can donate via credit cards and PayPal from the earthquake relief section on their website.
projecthope.org
CARE
CARE is an international humanitarian organisation fighting global poverty and world hunger by working alongside women and girls.
How to donate: From the earthquake relief fund on their website via credit card and PayPal.
care.org
DirectRelief
DirectRelief is preparing more than 25 pallets of medical supplies from its facilities in the U.S. and Europe for Turkey and Syria. The shipments follow $200k in grants issued Monday by DirectRelief to support search and rescue efforts - $100k each to AKUT (Turkish Search & Rescue Association) and Syrian American Medical Society.
How to donate: One-time donations can be made by clicking on the
"Donate" button found on the page below.
directrelief.org/emergency/turkey-syria-earthquake
Turkish Philanthropy Funds
U.S. community foundation for high-impact social investments dedicated to Turkish and Turkish-American communities.
How to donate: Through PayPal and credit card transfers on their website.
donate.tpfund.org
AFAD
Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency
Management Presidency (AFAD) is collecting donations for the search and rescue operations in affected zones.
How to donate: You can donate through AFAD's earthquake donation accounts via EFT or SWIFT transfers.
en.afad.gov.tr
Turkish Red Crescent (Türk Kizilay)
Turkish Red Crescent (Türk Kizilay) is distributing food through mobile kitchens in the region. They are also sending tents, blankets and beds in addition to collecting donated blood.
How to donate: Kizilay accepts donations via credit/debit cards and bank transfers. Those in Turkey can donate by texting "DEPREM" to 2868 or calling 168 (Kizilay donation hotline).
kizilay.org.tr/bagis
Donation Drive locations:
Things to donate: Hygiene essentials, tents, blankets, diapers, formula, clothing, sleeping bags, and et.c
The Turkish House (46 E 1st Avenue New York, NY 10003) 9 am -9 pm
Brooklyn: Cafe Gossip, 2338 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn, NY 11223
Contact Firat Turan (347-417-2412) Until Sunday 02/11
New Jersey: 256 Paterson Plank Road, Carlstadt, NJ 07072
Contact: Alper Saylam (571-733-3358) Until Sunday 02/11
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