A powerful series of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria demolished thousands of buildings and has killed more than 11,000 people and counting. Thousands were left homeless amid the numbing winter cold, and, in Turkey alone, more than 40,000 people were reported injured by Wednesday.
Emergency crews continued increasingly desperate searches for life amid massive heaps of rubble. Stunning images have surfaced online of miraculous rescues, including video of a child being pulled from underneath a massive slab of concrete.
Humanitarian aid poured in from around the globe to assist with rescues, medical care and the provision of food and shelter.
USA TODAY has identified dozens of humanitarian organizations accepting donations from the public to support their efforts helping victims in Turkey and Syria. Here’s what to know about them.
Live updates:Deaths in Turkey, Syria earthquake surpass 11,000; weather now a threat to homeless
Deadliest quake in more than a decade:Earthquakes in Turkey, Syria are among the deadliest in recent history
Charity Navigator tips
Charity Navigator, which rates charities, gives the following tips on giving to disaster relief.
- Donate to reputable, registered charities.
- Monetary donations are the most effective.
- Consider giving monthly donations for long-term recovery efforts as many disaster relief groups see donations taper off after just a few weeks.
Charity Navigator has also published its own list of organizations aiding in Syria and Turkey.
Turkish Red Crescent (Red Cross affiliate)
Red Crescent organizations in both Turkey and Syria said their teams were helping with recovery and aid efforts. Both organizations are members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, an international network of disaster relief agencies.
The American Red Cross said Turkish Red Crescent workers and volunteers were distributing food and medical aid.
Turkish Red Crescent asks for cash donations on Twitter:
Syrian Red Crescent (Red Cross affiliate)
In Syria, the Red Crescent is aiding victim evacuation and search efforts, the Red Cross said. The Syrian Red Crescent asked for donations on Twitter Wednesday.
The White Helmets
The White Helmets, also known as Syria Civil Defense, are a humanitarian aid organization that operates in rebel-controlled areas of Syria. The volunteer group has experience providing emergency services to the victims of the country’s civil war.
The White Helmets said it had mobilized 3,000 volunteers to help search for earthquake victims. It asked for donations to support its efforts.
Syrian American Medical Society
The Syrian American Medical Society is an international medical relief organization that has for years provided medical assistance to victims of war in northwestern Syria. The group has set up a quake relief fund and its teams are currently providing earthquake relief.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders is another humanitarian medical aid group.
The nonprofit said its staff was providing medical supplies and support to 23 hospitals treating earthquake victims in Idlib and Aleppo in Syria. It started a donation page for its earthquake recovery efforts.
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International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation
The International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation has offices in Gaziantep, Turkey, near the epicenter of the quake, and was working to dispatch teams to the affected communities in both Turkey and Syria.
The organization asked in a new release for donations of the following:
- Tens of thousands tents and heaters for the tents
- Tens of thousands blankets
- Thermal clothes
- Ready-to-eat meals for at least 5,000 people
- First aid kits
The organization said interested donors should reach out to Alper Mavi, a regional program coordinator at +90 538 5159806 or Alper.mavi@ibc.org.tr.
They can also reach out to the group’s vice president, Muzaffer Baca, at +90 532 2344229 or mbaca@ibc.org.tr.
GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving connects emergency relief nonprofits around the world with donors. The group launched a disaster relief fund to support recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria.
Save The Children
Save The Children, the international youth humanitarian aid group, set up an emergency relief fund for the earthquake victims. You can donate here.
Project HOPE
Project HOPE, a U.S.-based international humanitarian aid nonprofit, said it deployed emergency response teams to Turkey and Syria and set up a disaster relief fund.
Jewish Federations of North America
The Jewish Federations of North America set up a disaster response relief fund to help aid victims of the quake. The organization has in the past helped respond to natural disasters in the United States and abroad.
Turkey earthquake damage:Photos capture devastating aftermath of powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake
More organizations helping earthquake victims
Contributing: John Bacon and Jorge Ortiz, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
