Bermuda Red Cross is launching a disaster cash appeal for those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
A third, 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck southern Turkey 2 weeks after two powerful earthquakes hit southern Turkey and northern Syria, on Monday, 6 February.
The initial two earthquakes killed over 41,000 people. A further 70,000 were injured. Thousands of people’s homes have been destroyed, while hospitals, roads and bridges have been badly damaged. The earthquakes’ impact were so large that tremors were reported as far away as Cyprus, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordon.
Emergency responders from the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent are on the ground providing urgent humanitarian relief and supporting rescue efforts. More than ten regions across the countries have mobilized teams supporting the search and rescue, and providing basic relief items, including 17,000 blankets and 1,000 tents. Five mobile kitchens and 71 catering trucks have been deployed to provide food for people.
There is grave concern that as this is happening during the winter and the temperatures are currently very low, thus Turkish Red Crescent is delivering 50,000 blankets, 10,000 electric heaters, 25,000 sleeping bags and 25,000 beds to the temporary shelters and schools and education facilities.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent deployed over 5,000 staff and volunteers and 23 Red Crescent ambulances to help with search and rescue efforts, providing first aid or transporting the injured to medical facilities.
The Red Crescent in both countries is providing restoring family links and psychosocial support services that are established in community shelters and relief distributions.
Funds are needed now to continue with the work in Turkey and Syria. The Red Cross Re Crescent movement is helping with relief efforts and supporting those who have lost loved ones, in many cases, have been left with nothing. Donations will also help ongoing rescue efforts and immediate relief as well as longer term aid for those affected.
Donations can be made by direct deposit into the following account:
Bank of N.T. Butterfield 20 006 060 663859 200
Or go online to our website www.bermudaredcross.com to use your debit/credit card, or call us at 236-8253 Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm with your card details or mail or stop in at our offices:
Bermuda Red Cross
Turkey/Syria Earthquake Appeal
9 Berry Hill Road,
Paget DV 03
The best way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation to the Red Cross. Financial contributions allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation. The Red Cross initially responds to most international relief efforts with monetary support, and, when needed, ships items such as comfort kits, clean-up kits, medical supplies, tents, tarps and water. Monetary donations also enable the Red Cross to purchase relief supplies close to the disaster site, which avoids delays, and transportation costs in getting necessities to disaster victims. Because the affected community has generally experienced significant economic loss, purchasing relief supplies in or close to the disaster site also helps to stimulate the weakened local economy.