How to help people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Updated 2/23/2023 at 9:40 a.m. ET

You’ve seen the horrifying coverage of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake (and subsequent quakes) that has affected millions of people across Turkey and Syria. You heard that over 40,000 people have died and might have seen that the UN predicts that that number will top 50,000. You’ve listened to news reporters detail scenes of chaos and destruction and watched already vulnerable populations suffer in harsh winter conditions and struggle to access resources.

You also know the best way to help: Give now to address this crisis.

Our Turkey-Syria Earthquake Relief Fund goes to leading, international charities that were working in these affected communities before the earthquakes and will stay long after the media attention fades away. Their critical work is saving lives, reuniting families and protecting people in need.

This crisis needs your swift action. Even a gift of $10, $15 or $20 adds up to make a big impact. Here is just a brief snapshot of the work your gift will support:

Americares: Sending medicine, relief supplies such as wound care products and first aid items, and emergency funding to restore health services in affected areas.

CARE: Prioritizing the delivery of essentials like tents, mattresses, blankets, clean drinking water, baby food and thermal clothing to people in need. CARE is also preparing for potential influxes of internally displaced persons across northern Syria to areas where CARE and its partners operate.

ChildFund International: Distributing the essentials survivors need most right now, like mattresses, hygiene items and blankets to help protect children and families from the harsh winter conditions.

CMMB: Sending emergency relief supplies like lifesaving medicines, trauma supplies, hygiene kits and more to local partners.

Direct Relief: Supplying more than 22 tons of medical aid to affected areas. Items include medication to treat people with injuries and pre-existing medical conditions, such as field medic packs, antibiotics and other essential medicines, as well as oral rehydration solutions and hygiene items for those displaced from their homes.

Food For The Poor: Partnering with Charity Alliance members MAP International, Feed My Starving Children and more to address health needs such as medicines and medical supplies, and provide MannaPack rice meals to supply critically needed food and nutrition.

HIAS: Working with Charity Alliance member Islamic Relief USA and others to mobilize emergency relief for refugees and internally displaced people affected by this crisis.

International Rescue Committee, Inc.: Providing cash assistance and basic items to thousands of affected people, such as blankets and towels, and hygiene supplies like soap, toothbrushes and feminine products. IRC is supporting essential health services in earthquake affected areas and will set up safe spaces for affected women and children.

Save the Children: Distributing tents, hygiene kits, clothing, heaters, blankets and other essential items in Turkey. In addition, their Emergency Health Unit (EHU), which provides lifesaving health care in emergencies, is deployed to Turkey to conduct assessments. In Syria, Save the Children is distributing tents and winterization kits as well as providing health centers with much-needed fuel.

UMR: Delivering food baskets, winter care kits and emergency health kits for households and Interagency Emergency Health Kits for hospitals and medical clinics.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR): Releasing grants that provide local partners with tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, ready to eat meals and basic first aid kits.

UNICEF USA: Identifying separated and unaccompanied children and working to reunite them with their families, ensuring children and families have access to safe water and sanitation services, and providing mental health support for children who have experienced trauma.

When you make a gift to the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Relief Fund, it goes to multiple organizations at once, so you know your dollar is hard at work. You have it in your power to take action for the people of Turkey and Syria. This is your chance to help them recover and one day rebuild from this horrible tragedy. Thank you to everyone who has generously supported the fund and our partner organizations. We appreciate your help during this challenging time.