Earthquake in Turkey and Syria: solidarity with the victims

The February 6th earthquake in Turkey’s Southern Gaziantep Province and Northern Syria has caused a great and urgent need for assistance. Complementing the aid that will be provided by Belgian Consortium 12-12, the King Baudouin Foundation is making its philanthropic tools and network available to philanthropists who want to show solidarity with the victims of the earthquake.

The KBF is facilitating donations.

Thousands of people require food and shelter, as well as clean water, medicine, health services, and more.

With its partners from the Myriad philanthropic network, the KBF is joining with the Give2Asia initiative to help communities in Turkey and Syria. The KBF has set up a donor circle to collect donations. A proportion of the funds collected will go towards emergency services for humanitarian relief, while some will also be used for longer-term reconstruction.

Three local organisations have already been identified to receive funds.

The International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation (IBC) has offices that serve communities in both countries that are now mobilising to provide relief and assess needs. Given the cold weather conditions in the affected areas of Turkey and Syria, IBC’s initial goal is to distribute tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothing, and food to families.

As part of its ongoing work, IBC strives to alleviate human suffering without discrimination. IBC cooperates with local and national authorities, other NGOs, global donors, universities, and research centres to incorporate their resources, technical expertise, and experience into its work.

Hayata Destek Derneği (Support to Life) aims to ensure that communities affected by disasters have access to their basic rights and needs. Since 2005, Hayata Destek have been carrying out Emergency Aid, Refugee Support, Child Protection and Civil Society Strengthening and Coordination activities and support life with the principles of humanity, non-discrimination, impartiality, independence and accountability.

The partner has a team at the earthquake zones to support the evacuation process providing relief to the survivors. Urgent needs identified by them include tents suitable for winter conditions, in-tent tube stoves, tubes, sleeping bags, and blankets.

AHBAP is a cooperation movement established in 2017. As one of the biggest organisations in Turkey, Ahbap team and volunteers have been on the ground since Day One with the search and rescue team to actively reach survivors. The team is working to deliver essential food, clothing, and medical supplies and provide shelter to those in need. Ahbap also provides an open-access earthquake-safe map in its official website and social media channel to help survivors find local businesses, hotels, and other essential facilities that offer their support.

Would you like to help in another way?

Our Centre for Philanthropy can provide advice and help you in tailoring the right approach. Contact Stéphanie Smets: smets.s@mandate.kbs-frb.be, +32 2 549 61 53.

Donations of 40 euros or more are eligible for a tax certificate.

Thank you for getting involved!