Published: 02/08/2023
We in the Stanford Global Health community are deeply saddened by the devastation in Turkey and Syria caused by the 7.8 earthquake and aftershocks that have caused widespread destruction, collapsed buildings, and killed more than 20,000 people, with the death toll expected to continue rising.
The humanitarian toll is being exacerbated by freezing temperatures and years of conflict. You can learn more and see how Turkish and Syrian students are calling on the Stanford community for support in this Stanford Daily story.
If you wish to aid the rescue, healthcare, and recovery efforts underway, we highlight below some organizations to support. The following organizations are well-rated on Charity Navigator and actively responding to the crisis. There are many more grassroots and nonprofit organizations responding to the earthquakes; we encourage you to research those that best fit your goals.
Syrian American Medical Society
The Syrian American Medical Society, a U.S. based humanitarian group, supports at least 36 medical facilities in the affected region of northwest Syria, a regional office in Gaziantep, Turkey, near the epicenter of the first quake, and other medical facilities across the country. They have medical teams responding in northwest Syria and are collecting donations to support their efforts.
Doctors Without Borders / Medecins Sans Frontieres
MSF has already mobilized its existing teams in the region to respond in northwest Syria, while in other locations, they have donated supply kits, and are in touch with health authorities to provide support.
CARE
CARE, an international humanitarian organization fighting global poverty and world hunger, says donations will support rushing emergency aid to those impacted, including food, shelter, hygiene kits, cold weather supplies, and cash assistance.
UNICEF
UNICEF is already providing emergency relief to children and families in Turkey and Syria, including providing emergency water to displaced people and helping reunite children and families who were separated.
Stanford University Turkish Student Association recommendation
The Stanford University Turkish Student Association has created an online fundraiser supporting Bridge to Türkiye (BTF), a North Carolina-based non-profit organization founded by Turkish Americans in 2003. BTF says it will use the funds raised to support their local partner in Turkey, the AHBAP Association. CIGH has not separately vetted AHBAP, but we support our Turkish students’ efforts.