Coventry charity launches appeal following Turkey/Syria earthquake
Feed the Hungry are appealing for public support towards their Emergency Disaster Relief plan.
Last updated 20th Feb 2023
A Coventry charity is asking the public to get behind their emergency appeal following the double earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Feed The Hungry is collecting aid donations ahead of planned shipments to the countries in the coming days.
The international humanitarian organisation works to reduce world hunger by establishing feeding programs following disaster relief operations.
Feed the Hungry CEO, Gwyn Williams, said: "We immediately started planning our response to this tragedy.
"We were connecting to the warehouse facilities run by our partner organisations, to see what was available for diversion to Turkey - blankets, sleeping bags, tents, hygiene and food were all ready to roll."
Gwyn and his team are drawing up plans to access the affected areas in Turkey - from organising visas for lorry drivers, letters of authorisation, and connecting with teams of people in the affected area.
Feed the Hungry is now asking the public to support their emergency appeal, to enable them to send aid shipments to Turkey and Syria in the first week of March.
Local businesses, including Amtico from Coventry, are also pledging their support by holding food packing events at the Coventry warehouse.
Gwyn and his team are set to travel to Turkey in the next couple of weeks to further assess the level of response required.
He said: "We’re not in a rush to go in, because it will just interfere with the rescue efforts. What we can offer is a secondary response later on.
"We’re working hard now to ensure we’re ready with as much aid and support as we can offer."
The death toll has reached more than 40,000 following the 7.8 magnitude quake on February 6, 2023.
Further information about aid items required and how to donate (aid or cash) can be found via: https://feedthehungry.org.uk/turkey-syria-earthquake-relief/.