Support Türkiye
earthquake relief efforts
Thank You for Coming Alongside Us
Habibi International supported relief efforts following the Türkiye-Syria earthquake, with a special focus on those forcibly displaced by the disaster. We worked directly with partners on the ground. The updates and blog posts below reflect that response, which has now come to a close.
Images sourced by Reuters
UPDATES FROM THE GROUND
March 26, 2023
A message from our CEO, Willy
March 11, 2023
A month after the earthquake, many are still living in tents, churches, schools and other temporary shelters. For some, their homes are too damaged to return to. For others, the fear of their houses falling - especially in the nighttime - has kept them from moving home.
Nightly distribution of 250 portions of food by a local church to those homeless from the earthquake in front of a park.
March 10, 2023
Our leadership team is meeting our partners, visiting sites and projects, and doing further assessment on how we can best allocate the funds raised to support relief and rebuilding efforts.
While our month-long fundraising campaign has come to a close, you can still give to this cause through our Love & Relief Fund by designating your giving for earthquake relief through this form or indicating it on your checks.
February 20, 2023
Over the past two days, we distributed hot food, food packages and warm clothing to 100 displaced families.
Apart from residents of the city, others have come from areas further north that were affected by the earthquake, to seek shelter and aid.
February 14, 2023
Thank you for helping us to meet our target in less than a week!
As we monitor the situation, we are seeing that relief efforts in areas affected by the earthquake will need to continue for more than a month, or even a few months. In light of this, we’ll be keeping this platform open for continued giving .
February 13, 2023
We are so touched by the support that has been pouring in. We’re in the midst of putting together survival kits - including blankets, canned food and milk powder. These will go to families displaced by the earthquake, where it’s estimated about 100,000 people are now homeless
February 11th, 2023
Why are we focusing our efforts on Syrians?
The epicenter of the earthquake was in southeastern Turkiye
And while many countries and organizations have been entering Turkiye - where tremendous help is indeed needed. The areas worst-hit by the earthquake are controlled by different groups - government or pro-government, Kurdish-led forces, various opposition groups - which complicates the delivery of aid.
Please continue to pray for the many who had already been forced to flee their homes due to violence and instability, and now have to face destruction and displacement yet another time.
February 10, 2023
It’s already been called the “disaster of the century”, the earthquake has aggravated old wounds, as many have already spent the last decade trying to rebuild their lives during a civil war. Many remain trapped under the rubble and both countries struggle to get emergency services to places where help is needed most. In the harsh winter, victims have been left stranded in the freezing cold.
We have two platforms where you can support relief efforts - through the US here. Do indicate that it is for the Love & Relief Fund.