In the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck southern Turkey in the early morning hours of Feb. 6, 2023, the Embrace Relief Foundation is hard at work to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to the people affected by this natural disaster.
Embrace Relief is proud to announce that its first shipment of food aid – consisting of 21 pallets of prepared, ready-to-eat meals – was on its way to the affected areas as of Tuesday evening in Turkey, less than 48 hours after the initial earthquake, said Embrace Relief CEO Osman Dulgeroglu. He added that Embrace Relief is committed to delivering food to those in need every day, for as long as it is needed.
“Since we began operating, disaster relief has been a core part of Embrace Relief’s mission,” Dulgeroglu said. “Any time there is a disaster anywhere in the world, we act right away. We are currently working in cooperation with international nonprofit organizations and local partners to deliver aid to the communities suffering. We greatly value our local partners, who have previously supported us for many projects in Turkey.”
After beginning its fundraising campaign Monday morning, Embrace Relief has raised more than $400,000 in less than 48 hours, Dulgeroglu said, which will provide food and other immediate necessities – including tents for shelter, blankets, and clothing items – to people in the earthquake zone. Multiple community groups are also currently working with Embrace Relief to set up Group Fundraisers, whose proceeds will also directly aid affected people.
The situation on the ground remains difficult in the aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake and powerful aftershocks that shook Turkey on Monday. Thousands of people are believed to have died with many more injured, and large cities including Hatay, Gaziantep, Adana and Kahramanmaraş have seen widespread destruction, including the collapse of many buildings.
Transportation and communication networks have also been severely disrupted, meaning that outside aid is crucial to the survival of many people in this region.
“The people are in shock,” Dulgeroglu said. “Many people right now cannot contact their families, cannot know if they are safe. Many roads are closed, and large parts of these big cities are not accessible. So many people have lost their homes, lost everything.”
To donate in support of Embrace Relief’s earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, visit https://www.embracerelief.org/donation/help-victims-of-earthquake-in-southern-turkey.
Embrace Relief Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to delivering research-based, sustainable solutions to achieve immediate and lasting improvements in situations of humanitarian emergency and improving the quality of life of individuals and communities enduring chronic hardships. Learn more about Embrace Relief at our website, www.embracerelief.org.