NI charities call for support as Disasters Emergency Committee launches Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal to raise urgent funds to help people affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria which have killed more than 21,000 people and injured many more.

In Northern Ireland, the DEC’s member charities Concern Worldwide, the British Red Cross, Save the Children and Tearfund are urging local people to support the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal where they can.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools, have collapsed and infrastructure has been badly damaged. Local responders are searching through the rubble for survivors.

Many people have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions, with humanitarian needs expected to grow in the coming days. Access to clean water is likely to be a challenge, bringing the risk of waterborne diseases. There was already an outbreak of cholera in north-west Syria before the earthquake.

The first earthquake struck without warning in the early hours as people slept. In Turkey, tens of thousands of people have been injured. According to the Turkish government, 380,000 people have sought refuge in government shelters or hotels.

Buildings also collapsed in north-west Syria where many people have fled from conflict in the country and medical facilities are limited. Aid workers say displaced people living in tents are hosting families whose homes have been destroyed.

DEC charities and their local partners are among the first responders, working with locally-led relief efforts. Immediate priorities are medical treatment for the injured, shelter for those who have lost their homes, as well as blankets, warm clothes and heaters for safe spaces. They are also ensuring people have enough food and clean water. 

The DEC brings together 15 leading aid charities at times of crisis overseas. Fourteen of these are responding in Turkey and Syria including British Red Cross, ActionAid and Save the Children.

Lois Bailie, NI Acting Director at Tearfund, said: “It has been terrible to watch this week as the devastation caused in Turkey and Syria by the earthquakes became clear. Thousands of people have lost their lives, lost loved ones and ended up in crisis following the earthquakes in the early hours of Monday morning. Buildings have collapsed and people have been trapped under rubble, with many others left out in the cold facing unimaginable circumstances.”

“Help is urgently needed on the ground to provide immediate aid and to begin the assessment of what will be needed in the long term. The DEC’s work ensures donations are turned into tangible, on the ground aid as quickly as possible. We urge people to give whatever they can to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal.”

The UK Government will match the first £5 million of donations from the British public to the DEC’s Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal to provide vital humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people affected by the disaster. This is part of a wider package of support from the UK Government and is in addition to ongoing UK Aid support in Syria and Turkey.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “When disasters like these terrible earthquakes strike, we know the British people want to help. They have shown time and again that few are more generous and compassionate.

“That is why we are match funding public donations to DEC’s appeal to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, as part of a wider package of support from the UK that will be used to provide life-saving interventions to those who need it most in the region.”

How to donate:

• Online: dec.org.uk  

• Phone: 0370 60 60 610 

• Text to give/SMS: for press releases: text SUPPORT to 70787 to donate £10. Other partners should use the specific text codes they have been provided with by the DEC. 

• Donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque by post to: DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA. 

Stay up to date with developments in Turkey and Syria, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on Twitter or on Facebook.