All the Ways You Can Help Victims of the Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Nearly 23 million people have been affected.

On Feb. 6, 2023, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria causing mass destruction.

As of today, Feb. 9, the death toll has passed 19,000, according to The New York Times, and has left hundreds of thousands of civilians homeless.

A three-month state of emergency has been approved by Turkey's parliament in the 10 provinces that were hit the hardest by the quake, and The United Nations has sent its first aid convoy into Syria as of this morning. 

There are plenty of ways for people all around the world to come together to help the victims of this saddening disaster, including donating money to those in need through several humanitarian organizations. 

According to NBC News, roughly 1.4 million children (and counting) have been affected by the earthquake. UNICEF is taking action to help children in need, along with Save the Children. 

Everyone can donate to multiple medical care organizations, as nearly 22,168 people have been injured in Turkey, and 1,449 in Syria, including over 2,200 people in Syria's rebel-held territories.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is raising funds to support the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. Both are aiming to provide food, medical care, psychological support, and search and rescue efforts.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières is working with its local partners in northwestern Syria to support hospitals and donate emergency medical kits and blankets.

Islamic Relief—an organization that provides aid regardless of religion—is providing emergency medical assistance, shelter, and cash grants to survivors in Turkey. The organization is also working to provide health and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics, and blankets and tents to survivors who have become homeless in Syria. 

At least 600 victims in northwest Syria have been treated by The Syrian American Medical Society. The organization also stated that funds raised will support medical facilities in the area. 

According to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, many civilians who were affected by the earthquakes were already relying on "humanitarian aid in areas where access is a challenge," and now those needs are higher than ever following the 7.7 quake. 

Humanity and Inclusion has launched an emergency response to support disabled people who have been affected. The team is currently providing physical rehabilitation, mobility aids, and mental health support. 

"We expect a huge need for rehabilitation care," said Myriam Abord-Hugon, who is the head of mission for Syria. "There are thousands of injured people, and many of these injuries may worsen or turn into permanent disabilities if they do not receive appropriate rehabilitation services. In addition, people have suffered significant trauma and will need psychosocial support."

International aid group CARE is providing food, shelter, hygiene kids, cold weather supplies, and cash assistance to survivors in both Syria and Turkey. 

If you plan to donate money, be sure to check that the organizer is a credible source. CharityWatch and Charity Navigator provide ways to find trustworthy charities in the United States, while Charity Register and Ireland's Charities Regulator also provide similar forms of verification in the United Kingdom.

Donors can report organizations who they suspect may be fraudulently soliciting donations in the U.S. to the Justice Department's National Center for Disaster Fraud.

Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the earthquake.