How to Help the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Survivors

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(TNS) – Bay Area nonprofits sprang into action Monday in the wake of a devastating pair of powerful earthquakes that leveled buildings and killed at least 2,800 people in Turkey and Syria, and left thousands more injured or missing.

Aid groups said the need for recovery and rebuilding funds will be enormous, and will require a unified worldwide effort. The death toll was expected to rise dramatically in the aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude with an epicenter 20 miles from Turkey’s Gaziantep and a second temblor, measured at 7.5-magnitude, that struck about 60 miles away just hours later Sunday.

Bay Area and California residents can make an impact through these steps and organizations.

Bridge to Turkey Fund

The Bay Area Turkish Society promoted the Bridge to Turkey Fund , which promised to use donated funds toward emergency services for victims. As of noon Monday, the fundraiser surpassed the halfway mark for its goal of $400,000.

The Bridge to Turkey Fund is officially partnered with non-governmental AHBAP Association.

Save the Children

International humanitarian organization Save the Children dedicates itself to helping children across the globe during natural disasters. The nonprofit is pledging to provide displaced children with food, shelter and warm clothing following the earthquakes affecting Turkey and Syria.

Syrian American Medical Society

The Syrian American Medical Society says its hospitals in the quake area have become overwhelmed with patients. Funds donated to the organization would go toward trauma supplies and the emergency response.

“Across our operational facilities, we’ve been receiving victims of the quake as they come into our hospitals while simultaneously working to guarantee the wellbeing of our over 1,700 staff in Syria, and 90 at the epicenter near Gaziantep, Turkey,” SAMS’ President Dr. Amjad Rass said in a statement on the organization’s website.

Islamic Relief USA

Islamic Relief USA is promising to send funds to local partners within Turkey and Syria to help with emergency relief. The nonprofit raised funds for Syrian refugees to Turkey, among other charitable drives, prior to Monday’s quakes.

The Turkish American Association of Turks, headquartered in Davis, is urging community members to donate to Turkish-based emergency funds in wake of the tragic quakes Monday. In addition to the AHBAP, CalTurks displays links to two other Turkish-language websites in which people can donate — the Search and Rescue Association and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency.

Empowering the Turkish American Community
Empowering the Turkish American Community opened an emergency earthquake relief fund Monday, raising more than $11,000 as of noon. The nonprofit, which has chapters throughout the Bay Area, including Hayward and Santa Clara, promises funds will be sent to local rescue teams.

Global Giving

Nonprofit Global Giving is seeking to raise $5 million for earthquake victims. The organization said funds will provide food, water and mental health care to victims, among other, longer term needs.