Early in the morning of Monday, February 6, an initial magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred in Southern Türkiye. Dozens of aftershocks followed, as well as a magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurring hours later just 60 miles away. While the quakes were felt in the neighboring countries of Cyprus, Lebanon, and Egypt, the areas most impacted are Southern Türkiye and Northern Syria.

The Turkish city of Gaziantep, 20 miles from the epicenter of the first earthquake, has been a major resettlement site for refugees of both the Syrian Civil War and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. At the time of writing, over 20,000 people have been confirmed killed in Türkiye and Syria, with many more injured. The toll of those affected is expected to increase as rescue efforts continue to recover people from collapsed buildings which have left tens of thousands of people without shelter.

Response efforts will focus on continuing search and rescue efforts, providing healthcare to those injured in the earthquake, and providing shelter to those whose homes were impacted. Rescue efforts have been delayed by extreme winter weather conditions. International support has been mobilized, with many countries committing humanitarian aid, rescue groups, and cash aid.

Please note that in May 2022, Turkish officials requested that the UN refer to their country using the Turkish-language spelling: Türkiye. The US State Department has also followed this request, and MCF will do the same.

Additionally, the below organizations are not an exhaustive list of those providing humanitarian aid; for additional information on nonprofits providing disaster response and recovery aid, please reach out to your Philanthropic Advisor directly.

Turkiye Earthquake Relief Fund at Turkish Philanthropy Funds Inc.

Turkish Philanthropy Funds is the leading US community foundation dedicated to Turkish and Turkish-American Communities. Since their founding in 2007 they have invested over $28M in grants dedicated to addressing economic, social, and environmental needs in Türkiye. TPF’s Turkiye Earthquake Relief Fund will help first responders provide for survivors’ immediate needs for food, shelter, water, and medical care. As needs emerge, the funds will go to support longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted partner organizations in the impacted area.

Türkiye Earthquake Emergency Fund at Islamic Relief USA

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired humanitarian and development agency, now working in over 45 countries assisting individuals, families and communities through emergency response and development projects that typically help over 10 million people each year. Islamic Relief has worked in Türkiye since 2000, and will work with local partners to provide food, water, and medicine to those affected by the earthquake.

Bizim Türkiyemiz Relief Fund at Bridge to Türkiye Fund

Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF) was established in 2003 by Turkish American volunteers driven to make a difference, to improve life and to cultivate social change for the common good. BTF has partnered with AHBAP, one of the most active volunteer organizations in Türkiye, to provide food, clean water, and shelter to those affected in 20 Turkish Cities impacted by the earthquake.

Syrian American Medical Society Foundation

The Syrian American Medical Society Foundation (SAMS) was formed in 2007, and has since become an active and leading medical relief organization serving Syria and neighboring countries. SAMS provides an integrated model of services that includes training, field hospitals, primary care clinics, and mobile hospitals. SAMS has had to evacuate three hospitals due to structural damages, but is still providing emergency healthcare services in response to this earthquake.

The White Helmets / Syria Civil Defence
(fiscally-sponsored by Voices Project USA)

The White Helmets are a volunteer humanitarian aid organization dedicated to helping communities prepare for, respond to, and rebuild after disasters in Syria. While they are best known for their search and rescue services following bombings, they provide a range of services inline with internationally-recognized activities of civil defense. They are actively providing search and rescue services in response to the earthquakes.