GreaterGood Offers Aid After Disastrous 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Turkey
At 4:17 a.m. on Monday, February 6th, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit southern Turkey (now recognized as Türkiye by the U.S. State Department as of January 2023) in the middle of a winter storm, damaging or destroying more than 4,000 buildings and killing several thousand people in Turkey and its neighbor, Syria. The aftershocks that followed have continued to destroy property and lives.
The quake struck 14.2 miles east of Nurdagi, located in the Gaziantep province. Its depth was measured at 14.9 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It has been followed up by multiple strong aftershocks, further complicating the rescue efforts. The largest of the aftershocks was a massive earthquake in and of itself, measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale.
The death toll currently reads more than 40,000, and the number is expected to rise as rescue crews sift through the rubble in search of survivors and remains. Massive numbers of people were killed not only in Turkey but also in government-held and rebel-held parts of war-torn Syria.
Among those who have survived, several thousand are wounded, and many of those who are okay are unable to find shelter from the winter weather. Those who have vehicles are sheltering in their cars. Even those who still have homes still standing to go back to are afraid to enter their buildings again. Many do not have reliable access to plumbing, heat, food, hygiene products, and other basic necessities.
The race is on, as the lives of the people trapped under the rubble are threatened not only by injuries and the typical dangers of being trapped but also by the inclement weather. It’s likely that the civil war in Syria may also be complicating the success of relief efforts.
Turkey is a particularly earthquake-prone area of the world, but experts say this is the first time an earthquake of this magnitude has hit the country since 1991. It may in fact prove to be the largest disaster in the nation in almost 100 years.
Turkey has declared a three-month state of emergency and has appealed for international assistance, including donations of blood for their wounded. Hospitals are struggling to keep up with the staggering numbers of injured people.
Several important archeological sites in Turkey and Syria are also reported to have been damaged by the earthquakes. Additionally, the quakes are expected to take a huge toll on the countries’ economies.
In the wake of this horrifying disaster, the people of Syria and Turkey desperately need our help. GreaterGood is busily raising funds to help our non-profit partner, Greater Good Charities, and their partners as they work to determine what needs the people have and how we can best meet them.
Greater Good Charities, a global nonprofit organization, is currently on the ground and has set up a distribution location in Hatay to feed thousands of people, with an initial goal of serving 5,000 to 8,000 meals daily, starting February 16. For those people with pets, pet food will also be provided at the distribution location.
We need your help! Every donation counts. Your gift will go directly to people in need in the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes.
Click the button below to learn more and to donate to the displaced and injured people of Turkey and Syria!
