We Need Your Help: Support Victims of the Syria -Turkey Earthquake Now

The recent tragedy on 6th February and 21st February, Syria-Turkey Earthquake, has befallen our brothers and sisters and has shattered many lives. 

Children were trapped under the rubble for days in darkness, thirst and hunger…not knowing their parents had left them. One baby and the only member of the family survived the earthquake, now reunited with her relatives – the only piece of memory they will ever have.

Heartbreaking headlines make their way into our screens, but we will never be able to put ourselves in their shoes and feel their agony; how they have lost everything in a blink of an eye.

Up to this day, many organisations have worked tirelessly to rescue victims and provide aid relief to affected families in Turkey and Syria. We need your help more than ever.

Syria-Turkey Earthquake: What’s Happening

The first earthquake in Turkey, specifically Gaziantep, registered 7.8 in magnitude, followed by the most recent quake on 21st February with a magnitude of 6.4, killing a total of over 47,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

The third and latest earthquake in Turkey, in the city of Antakya has caused even more damage to already shattered buildings and rundown facilities. Over 300 victims were affected, badly injured and six were killed, Innalillahi wa inna ilaihirajun.

Thanks to our partners, Islamic Relief and Time for Charity (UK) for doing all they can to raise more funds to provide relief for the affected families of the Turkey Earthquake.

Islamic Relief Worldwide

SimplyIslam is working closely with two charities to provide relief to victims of the Turkey earthquake. The first is the internationally renowned charity, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), based out of the United Kingdom. They are considered to be the largest and most established Muslim-based charity in the world, and have established offices across the world. Established in 1984, Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired humanitarian and development agency and currently works in over 45 countries assisting individuals, families and communities through emergency response and development projects. In 2021, the charity organisation helped over 10 million people each year.

IRW has reached inroads towards Syria and are distributing aid within Syria and has been providing emergency and development support across Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, and Latakia regions. It is helping with medical items, tents, mattresses, blankets, heating materials, bread, and so on. IRW is focused on areas that are accessible in Syria where their teams can deliver the aid, and because of their long-term presence in certain regions, they are able to quickly acquire and make use of supplies from their local offices and vendors.

Time to Help (TTHUK) Charity

Since the Syrian humanitarian crisis which SimplyIslam helped to provide aid for, through ASRIT, SimplyIslam has maintained contacts with people in Istanbul and Gaziantep. It is currently working directly with Turkish citizens through a registered charity in the UK called Time to Help (UK). The charity is providing much needed assistance within Turkey only. They are focused on providing emergency shelter, warmth and heating supplies, and basic medical support and supplies. Hundreds of thousands of people have been rendered homeless, and TTHUK is supplying insulated tents, clean water, essential foods, blankets, mattresses, stoves, medicines, female hygiene products, essential clothing, etc to help victims cope with the difficult circumstances and the harsh winter.

So far, thanks to our generous donors and supporters, Islamic Relief is able to assist and aid approximately 660,000 victims of the Turkey earthquake since the first hit on 6th February. The volunteers and rescuers provided emergency relief such as shelter, medical supplies, food, water, blankets, mattresses and other essentials to help them endure the winter season as well.

We Need You Now More than Ever: Support the Affected Families in the Recent Earthquake in Turkey

As rescuers search for individuals trapped beneath the debris of collapsed buildings, we are reiterating our appeals for aid to support the people of Syria and Turkey. Every penny counts, every second counts.

“Our teams on the ground felt the latest earthquake as they worked yesterday evening,” says Ahmed Mahmoud, Islamic Relief’s Head of Mission in Turkey and Syria. “There was widespread panic with the streets full of people as children and families left their homes as they don’t feel safe. There were reports of people being injured as they jumped from shaking buildings to try and escape.

“In Syria, reception centres for homeless families are already massively overcrowded from the last earthquakes. There are 2, 3 or even 4 families sharing single tents, with nothing to keep them warm. I saw one tent with 32 people sheltering in it, including 17 children, as there aren’t enough tents for everyone. We need more emergency aid on the ground as soon as possible.

“People here have gone through unimaginable horror and suffering and now tonight they are faced with sheer terror once again.”

In northern Syria, Islamic Relief has been removing debris from roads, providing essential medication and beds to hospitals, and offering targeted support for women and girls through mobile clinics. The organization is also providing basic counseling for children who have been impacted by the earthquake in Syria.

In Turkey, Islamic Relief is distributing food parcels and hygiene items, and providing vouchers to allow individuals to purchase necessary items at local shops.

How Can You Help? Let’s Share the Love with the Victims of the Turkey Earthquake

• Donate Whatever You Can, Every Cent Counts

Although Islamic Relief supporters have contributed generously to the organization’s £20 million emergency appeal, affected families of the Turkey earthquake continue to require your support for them to endure ongoing disasters. Do your bit and support our brothers and sisters now.

• Share Our Turkey Earthquake Appeal Donation Link with Your Friends and Families

If you don’t have the financial means to donate, or if you already have and you want to go the extra mile, share our Turkey Earthquake Appeal donation link with your friends and family and get them to support our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria. Your help will go a long way.

• Make Du’a for the Victims Affected by the Earthquake in Turkey

Indeed, Allah Almighty will respond to those who call upon Him. Your sincere du’a is heard by Allah Almighty, so make du’a that the trials and tribulations endured by the victims would be lifted by His Mercy and Grace. 

أَمَّنْ يُجِيْبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوْءَ

“Is it not He Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil.”

(Surah An-Naml, 27:62)

May Allah Almighty grant them strength, willpower and patience in enduring the trials and tribulations of the earthquake in Turkey, and may Allah Almighty accept all our deeds in helping our brothers and sisters in dire need of help.