A double earthquake hit Turkey and Syria on Monday the 6th —It has also been strongly felt in neighboring countries: Lebanon, Israel, Cyprus and Jordan, among others—, with a magnitude of 7.8 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, respectively.
The double earthquake, which is the largest in almost 3 decades in both countries, is leaving a balance of thousands of deaths. In addition, the earthquakes could have affected some 23 million people, including 1.4 million children, according to Save the Children based on data from the WHO (World Health Organization).
Aid has been launched immediately from different types of actors: international organizations, national governments (including Spain) and NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) have mobilized to send support, search and rescue teams, field hospitals, medical equipment for humanitarian emergencies, field work, funds and other resources.
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In addition, At a private level, aid can also be sent to people affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.among other countries.
Of course, before sending a donation or other type of support for the earthquake, organizations and experts recommend taking into account some aspects, such as make sure you are dealing with professional and reputable organizations.
For this aspect, the Aecid website (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation) can serve as a guide, which includes all the organizations accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, although other prestigious ones such as Amnesty International, which is financed by its partners and volunteers.
It is also advisable to always go to the official channels, as well as search or ask for the most urgent needs. Finally, experts point out that financial donations are often more effectivealthough some organizations also give the possibility of help those affected in Turkey and Syria with clothes, food, etc.
Organizations to send aid to Turkey and Syria
These are some organizations through which you can send your donation or help for people affected by the earthquake in Turkey, Syria and other countries:
- Embassy of Turkey in Spain: the embassy of Turkey in Spain is one of the actors that allows humanitarian aid to be sent due to the earthquake, from donations of money over the internet to food (preserves), clothes, mattresses or blankets. The materials can be taken to the embassy (Calle Rafael Calvo, 18, in Madrid), to the Hard Rock Hotel (Ronda de Atocha, 17, Madrid) or to the Madrid-Barajas Air Cargo Center, pick up Newtral.
- UNHCR: If you are looking for ways to help those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, UNHCR (UN refugee agency) is another option. You can choose the type of contribution (one-off or monthly) and the amount of money you want to donate. For example, 12 euros is equivalent to 6 meal kits for 6 people.
- Red Cross: the Red Cross informs in its official channels (website and in Twitter) how you can send your help for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. You can collaborate with the donation you choose through the internet, telephone (900 104 971), Bizum (at 33512) or SMS (with the word EARTHQUAKE at 38088, 3 euros plus VAT).
- Save the Children: To help children in Turkey and Syria, you can donate to Save the Children’s emergency fund. You can choose the amount and frequency (once or a month).
- Emergency Committee: the Emergency Committee has also been launched to offer help after the earthquake that occurred in the area of southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. You can collaborate through this union of NGOs (SOS Children’s Villages, Educo, Doctors of the World, Oxfam Intermón, Plan International and World Vision) by various means: Bizum (code: 02076), bank transfer (to ES24 2100 5731 7202 0035 4082), by phone (toll free at 900 595 216) or through its website.
- UNICEF: Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund) is another of the organizations where you can support those affected by the earthquake, through its emergency fund. With a donation of 50 euros, for example, they can give a full day’s food to 22 children, they explain.
- caritas: Caritas (the official confederation of charitable and social action entities of the Catholic Church), for its part, attends to “people affected by the serious earthquakes of February 6” in Turkey and Syria. On their website you can donate money for this cause, as well as through their accounts at Banco Santander (ES44 0049 6791 7222 1601 2127) and Caixabank (ES69 2100 5731 7102 0044 7605).
- Action Against Hunger: This NGO, which has sent its emergency team to the affected areas in both countries, also asks for citizen collaboration, with Paypal or card. “Your donation will go where it is most needed, in this emergency or other Action Against Hunger programs,” he reports.
- International Amnesty: Amnesty International is a different case. It has asked the international community to mobilize resources “immediately” and, although it does not have a specific page for those affected by the earthquake, it allows donations to be made by selecting a specific country, such as Turkey, among many other options.
Finally, on the website of the Coordinator of Organizations for Development, it reports its NGOs that are working in the region, such as those already mentioned or Cesal, Ciemen, Entreculturas, Farmamundi, Youth and Development, Manos Unidas, NGO Rescate Internacional and Sed .
