On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey near the northern border of Syria, followed by another 7.5 magnitude earthquake just nine hours later in the same region. The impact of this disaster is not yet fully known, but the World Health Organization estimates that at least 23 million people will be impacted in some way. At the time of this publishing, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy shared that at least 10,000 people have died – a conservative estimate. Exacerbated by a complex humanitarian crisis in Syria and harsh winter weather, relief support is critical.
Local, regional, domestic, and global organizations are working to provide immediate support and strategize about long-term needs. If you’re considering using your charitable fund at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation to support ongoing relief efforts in Turkey and Syria, our team has identified a handful of organizations for your consideration.
Gifts made through a charitable fund at the Community Foundation are always reviewed to ensure that the organization receiving the donation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in good standing with the IRS, so you know that your gift goes to those providing real help right now and into the future. This list of organizations is not exhaustive and will be updated as needed. Please contact us if you would like additional suggestions based on particular needs or interests.
All Hands and Hearts
EIN: 20-3414952
Disaster Assistance Response Team is traveling to Turkey to provide assistance.
Americares
EIN: 06-1008595
Taking donations to help deliver medicine, medical supplies, and emergency funding to support families.
American Red Cross
EIN: 53-0196605
Donations noted “Turkey Earthquake” enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from this disaster.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
EIN: 45-5257937
CDP’s Turkey and Syria Earthquake Recovery Fund provides targeted grantmaking that prioritizes needs identified in collaboration with local partners.
Charities Aid Foundation of America
EIN: 43-1634280
The Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief Fund will support organizations providing humanitarian relief efforts in Turkey and Syria. Grants from this campaign will be made at CAF America’s discretion, to charities working on relief and response associated with the earthquake affecting people in Turkey and Syria.
Direct Relief
EIN: 95-1831116
Direct Relief is preparing more than 25 pallets (approximately one semi-truck full) of medical supplies from its facilities in the U.S. and Europe for Turkey and Syria.
Doctors Without Borders USA
EIN: 13-3433452
Teams in northern Syria are caring for people injured in the disaster.
Give2Asia
EIN: 94-3373670
All donations received by Give2Asia will help communities in Turkey and Syria through partnerships with on-the-ground organizations.
GlobalGiving
EIN: 30-0108263
All donations to this fund will support Turkey and Syria earthquake relief and recovery efforts. Initially, the fund helps first responders meet survivors’ immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, medicine, and shelter. As needs evolve, we will prioritize longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted organizations in the impacted areas.
Heart to Heart International
EIN: 48-1108359
Heart to Heart International’s Disaster Response Team is responding by sending thousands of Hygiene Kits and working with partners in the region and other aid organizations to determine the medications and supplies that will best help those who have been affected by this disaster.
Helping Hand for Relief and Development
EIN: 31-1628040
HHRD has launched a $5 million appeal to help the victims in Turkey.
Karam Foundation
EIN: 37-1548241
The Karam Foundation is delivering shelter, basic needs, and disaster relief to our team, families, students, and the Syrian and Turkish people in need.
Mercy-USA for Aid and Development
EIN: 38-2846307
Mercy-USA has relief coordination offices in Antakya, Turkey and implementing relief staff in northern Syria. Immediate relief needs: ready-to-eat meals, water, hygiene kits, and blanket.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc.
EIN: 43-1550318
Nazarene churches in Syria are tirelessly meeting the needs of those around them. The initial response is focused on distributing food, providing needed supplies like blankets, and sheltering people whose homes were destroyed.
Project C.U.R.E.
EIN: 84-1568566
Project C.U.R.E. focuses on providing life-saving medical supplies where they are needed most, including at the front line of disasters like the devastating Feb. 6 earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Distribution centers are across the U.S., including Kansas City.
Save the Children
EIN: 06-0726487
Teams are on the ground. Also taking donations for the Children’s Emergency Fund.
Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) Foundation
EIN: 16-1717058
SAMS supports at least 36 medical facilities in the affected region of northwest Syria as well as a regional office in Gaziantep, Turkey, near the epicenter of the first quake.
UNICEF
EIN: 13-1760110
UNICEF is on the ground responding to the needs of thousands of families and children impacted by the devastating earthquake in Syria.