How to send items like coats and blankets from NC to Turkey earthquake survivors
Triangle residents have responded to our story about aiding earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, asking for more information about how to help.
There have been more than 45,000 reported deaths due to the 7.8 magnitude quake that hit the area on Feb. 6. International countries, including the United States, are sending search and rescue teams. Local groups in the Carolinas are fundraising to continue the humanitarian effort in the Middle East.
Donating physical items: A number of readers have asked us how to donate physical items, such as blankets and clothing. At this time, the only way to do that is to ship the items to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. on your own. The Embassy will then ship those items overseas.
We know of no local groups collecting items to ship.
To send items to the Turkish Embassy: Place any of the listed items below in clear bags and mail them to the Turkish Embassy at 2525 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008.
To donate money to help earthquake victims
▪ The Bridge to Turkiye Fund: This group, located in Chapel Hill, encourages Turkish-American donors in North Carolina to support Turkey’s work by giving financially to trusted local partners. The Bridge to Turkiye Fund is partnering with AHBAP, an on-the-ground organization delivering disaster relief. To donate, visit bridgetoturkiye.org and click “Donate” on the site’s homepage.
▪ The American Turkish Organization of North Carolina: This group, located in Cary, is collecting donations online. To donate, visit ata-nc.org and click “Donate to the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Fund” on the site’s homepage.
▪ The International Red Cross and Red Crescent: Turkish Red Crescent Teams — part of the International Red Cross — in Turkey and Syria are providing hot meals and drinks, shipping needed blood and plasma into affected areas and providing survivors with psychosocial support, the American Red Cross said. The Turkish Red Crescent said it has mobilized 77 catering vehicles, five mobile kitchens and nearly 2,000 tents. To donate and learn more, visit ifrc.org.
▪ Doctors Without Borders: Doctors Without Borders teams have already begun working in the affected areas, including at “impacted and overwhelmed” health facilities in northern Syria. The humanitarian medical NGO said its teams are reinforcing and supporting local medical teams, as well as donating emergency medical and essential life kits. To donate and learn more, visit doctorswithoutborders.org.
▪ Oxfam: The British-founded group said it is gathering information on the scale of the destruction to come up with short- and long-term response plans. Oxfam said its Turkish affiliate group partners with dozens of women’s cooperatives, and is working with them to assess what is needed. To donate and learn more, visit oxfam.org.uk.
▪ Save the Children: The international NGO said it has established a response team in Turkey to support the national emergency response plan. It added that it is working to assess the scale of damage in northwest Syria and Turkey, and is planning to support winterization and the provision of emergency kits. To donate and learn more, visit savethechildren.org.uk.
This story was originally published February 17, 2023 at 4:35 PM with the headline "How to send items like coats and blankets from NC to Turkey earthquake survivors."
