On Monday 06 February, 2023 two massive earthquakes (7.5 and 7.8 in magnitude) devastated Turkey and Syria, with aftershocks being felt hundreds of miles from the regions most heavily impacted. At the time of writing, the death toll has passed 21,000, with the humanitarian response now in a race against time to help not only those trapped under rubble, but to provide shelter and aid to the hundreds of thousands now homeless in the aftermath, all in the midst of winter weather that has temperatures often falling below freezing in many of the areas worst hit.
The economic, logistical, and political challenges dramatically multiply the difficulties facing the response, and it’s clear that the weeks and months ahead will bring enormous challenges to these two countries. All this is to barely scratch the surface of the complexity of the situation, but one thing that is perfectly clear is that help is in desperate need and can come in many forms.
We’ve done our best to compile a list of useful, largely verified ways people can donate, volunteer, share useful resources, and stay informed. It should be noted that we are largely a volunteer-run publication based in Istanbul, Turkey. As a result, much of the content we’ll be sharing is Istanbul and Turkey centered, but we have done our best to include reputable resources to help those in Syria as well.
Note: When possible, we strongly suggest donating directly to organizations based or working actively in Turkey or Syria.
(Last updated Sunday 12 February, 2023)
Donating to Organizations & Volunteering
Note: Most websites of organizations include additional bank account and donation details beyond what we’ve listed.
1. AHBAP (TR) (Donations from Abroad)
Ahbap is one of, if not the most trusted, non-governmental organization based on solidarity and cooperation in the country. It has been operating in over 68 cities of Turkey since 2017 providing aid to those in need ranging from supplies, to temporary housing, and beyond. Their Instagram seems the best way to keep up with their work if you’re looking for regular updates, while their site details a few different ways you can support, but you’d need to run most of the site through Google Translate. They currently have an English donations page up that allows you to donate for earthquake relief efforts and also features a way you can donate via credit card.
Donating through bank transfer can be done via TL, but for those transferring abroad can donate via Euro, GBP, USD, and AUD.
SWIFT: ISBKTRIS
Turkish Lira Bank Account (IBAN: TR120006400000110211380059)
EUR Account (IBAN: TR150006400000210212150277)
USD Account (IBAN: TR320006400000210212150262)
2. AKUT (TR) (Donations from Abroad)
AKUT is Turkey’s well-known and established Search and Rescue Organization which is called into action in the event of any disaster that takes place in Turkey. Their website features an English version for those who would like to learn more about their decades of public service. Their Instagram in particular details a lot of the often dangerous on-site work they are currently engaged in. Donations can take place via bank transfer (below), credit card, or if your mobile operator is based in Turkey, write AKUT in an SMS and send to 2930 to easily donate 10 TL. For the bank details below, the columns are broken down as Bank, Branch, Turkish Lira, USD, Euro, & Swift Code.
3. AFET Platformu (TR) (Volunteering)
Afet Platformu is a disaster response organization that pinpoints essential needs in times of crisis and helps coordinate between organizations to make sure supplies and aid are sent to where they need to go. Their website is fairly static, but a quick visit to their Instagram will show that they’re actively engaging in the recovery efforts for this and every natural disaster that hits Turkey. They have a form on their website for would-be volunteers (open to Turkish speakers only as far as we can tell), and donations take the form sending supplies clearly listed on their socials to particular destinations (also shared on their Facebook and Twitter).
4. AFAD (TR) (Donations from Abroad)
AFAD is the Minister of Interior’s Disaster and Emergency Management organization. They’re a government agency dedicated to on-site relief work, with an English version of their website detailing their scope and a mobile application AFAD Acil Çağrı. For more up-to-date details, you’ll want to check out their Instagram. They currently have a pretty wide variety of financial donation options available (below), as well as those in Turkey with local mobile providers being able to text DEPREM to 1866 to automatically send a 20 TL donation.
5. Türk Kızılay (TR) (Donations from Abroad & Volunteering)
The Turkish Red Crescent is likely the most well known aid organization in Turkey with a scope that includes disaster aid, education, social projects, and much more. Their website has an English version and donating is streamlined and easy with everything detailed in English. While they do accept cash donations, perhaps one of the easiest and most transparent ways to donate, is to find a local blood donation point near you and donate there. Foreigners in Turkey will need a valid residence permit to be able to donate blood. A list of donation points is available here. Those in Turkey can also send a blank SMS to 2868 to automatically donate 15 TL.
6. White Helmets (SY) (Donations from Abroad)
The White Helmets (also known as the Syria Civil Defence) have been active for the past five years, recognized often by their distinct headwear, and currently have over 3,000 volunteers on the ground in Syria dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake, trying to save lives with limited resources available to them. They are perhaps the most widely known organization in Syria taking on this type of work and are currently accepting donations through Paypal or by credit card via the main page of their website.
7. Municipalities (TR) (Donations & Volunteering)
Your local municipalities are a great way to get up-to-date information on what’s needed, how goods are being delivered, and many are also places you can go to offer an additional body to help sort donations, carry boxes, and so forth. Even with limited Turkish, we know of many foreigners who have also been able to be helpful by following simple instructions.
Keep up to date with your municipality social media pages for their needs and please adhere to the parameters set by them (typically new, unused, clean items). If packing cardboard boxes, please be aware you’re sending goods to areas that are likely experiencing rain or snow, and internal goods should be carefully wrapped in plastic to prevent getting wet.
Kadıköy Belediyesi is the municipality of Istanbul’s Kadıköy, and one of the larger and more active, that has been delivering goods from local residents to send to the earthquake-impacted zone as well as sending search and rescue teams there. For example, their requested products as of February 10 are baby food, power banks, liquid soap, dry and canned foods, and snacks. Their storage for clothing items has been filled as of writing this article. They do not accept donations of money.
Kadıköy Municipality Main Building Entrance (Hasanpaşa, Fahrettin Kerim Gökay Cd. No:2, 34722 Kadıköy/İstanbul)
Şişli Belediyesi is the municipality of Şişli which is also collecting goods to send to the earthquake survivors. Currently their product list includes electric heaters, wood burner stoves, powerbanks, generators, child and adult sized winter jackets, sleeping bags & pillows, bedding, canned foods, diapers and adult diapers, kettles, packaged foods, tea/coffee/sugar, water, plastic cups and utensils, wet wipes, trashbags, sanitary pads, iron scissors & shovel, construction gloves & boots, megaphones, torches.
Şişli Municipality Main Building (Merkez, Darülaceze Cd. No:8, 34381 Şişli/İstanbul)
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi (IBB) (TR) (Donations from Abroad)
The municipality of İstanbul under the leadership of Ekrem İmamoğlu has been sending search and rescue teams, firefighters, cranes & construction equipment and trucks full of goods to the earthquake zone. Part of their list of goods to donate are canned goods, water & other beverages, warm winter clothes, warm socks, hats, diapers and sanitary pads.
Their payment information for local and international donations is below:
The two addresses below are the main hubs for the Istanbul municipality to bring donated goods:
Dr. Mimar Kadir Topbaş Gösteri ve Sanat Merkezi (Aksaray, Yenikapı Etkinlik Alanı, Kennedy Cad. No: 11/1, 34096 Fatih/İstanbul)
Kartal Logistic Center (Lojistik Destek Merkezi Kartal Depoları)
İnönü Caddesi No:143 Esentepe Mahallesi Kartal
8. HAYTAP (TR) (Donations)
Haytap is an animal rights organization that has been active in the earthquake zone rescuing animals that have been affected by the disaster. They rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals found under the debris. Their requested product list includes tents, sleeping bags, cat & dog carrier boxes, cat dog and bird food, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicine, alcohol, powerbank and animal chip reader. For information on drop-off locations and times please check their Instagram. You may donate through Turkish banks to the following account numbers:
9. Field Ready (SY/TR) (Donations from Abroad)
Field Ready (Sahaya Hazir İnovasyon Derneği) is a group of engineers, humanitarian aid, and development sectors experts. They’ve been working in Northwest Syria and Turkey since 2016, helping locals create and utilize tools used in crisis response situations. They’re currently raising funds for shelter, medical aid, and rescue work through a JustGiving campaign. (Note: We have verified that this campaign is legitimate and done in cooperation with the organization.) To keep up with their many impressive projects, follow them on Instagram.
10. The AMAN Project (TR) (Donations from Abroad)
The AMAN project advocates for LGBTQ+ refugees in the Middle East and has supported many in Turkey over the years with direct emergency assistance for rent, food, and medicine, as well as aiding in the asylum application process. They know of many in their extended network who were impacted by the earthquakes and are currently promoting a JustGiving campaign of their own to offer them help. You can keep up with their work via their Instagram page.
11. Istanbul&I (TR) (Donations)
Our longtime friends at Istanbul&I are a community that empowers youth through volunteerism. They largely engage in community projects, social inclusion activities, and social impact initiatives supporting disadvantaged communities. They have currently converted their Karaköy office to be a hub for donations, and you can keep up with updates via their Instagram.
Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa, Akçe Sk. No:18, 34425 Beyoğlu
12. Getir, Trendyol, Hepsiburada, Yemeksepeti, Amazon Turkey, Uber, & Other Popular Apps (TR) (Donations)
As many people have these apps installed and feel comfortable with their payment methods, these resources are currently a wonderful and extremely easy way to donate. For almost all of them, you’ll log in as normal and simply choose their options for earthquake relief.
For example in the case of Getir, you are simply changing your listed address from the options to one they’ve provided. Then you’ll find various packages (or various services on the other apps) for you to be able to easily make your selections and send them to impacted areas.
13. List of Istanbul-based Donation Hubs (Volunteering & Needs) (TR)
We can loosely verify this as having been accurate when we’ve looked to it, but we do encourage anyone who uses it to try their best to verify (or simply go in with the expectation that things change quickly). However this list appears to be reliably and consistently updated with the various needs of centers in Istanbul that are dealing with donations and other issues surrounding earthquake relief.
14. Foreign Media Association of Turkey Fixer & Translator Database (TR) (Volunteering)
Those who are multilingual can sign up to offer their volunteer services for translation or fixing purposes for foreign media organizations and rescue efforts taking place.
15. Afet Post-Disaster Volunteer Signups (TR) (Volunteering)
A number of organizations are included and will essentially be vetted by the organization and connected to relevant volunteer opportunities. Participants must be 18 years old and should make clear their limitations in the relevant form, particularly if you cannot speak Turkish. A number of organizations, in a number of areas, for a number of skillsets will be using this form in the days, weeks, and months ahead to look for volunteers.
16. Circolo Roma Istanbul (TR) (Donations & Volunteering)
Established in 1931 to offer assistance to Italians adjusting to life in Istanbul, the organization is currently opening their doors as a base of operations to receive food donations, process them, and send them to affected areas with the assistance of their local municipality and AFAD. They’re open Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 18:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00. Keep up with their Instagram for more details, or reach out to them at info@circoloroma.com with your name and number if you’re keen to volunteer. They will add you to a Whatsapp group for coordination.
They are currently accepting donations of: sunflower oil, flour, rice, bulgur, pasta (Arpa Sehriye/Risoni), dried legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas), canned vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, okra, etc), ready dolmas, canned tuna, corned beef and turkey, tomato salca, pepper salca, olives, plastic or single-serving jams, single-dose honey or in plastic, tea, coffee, salt, sugar, baby food, baby formula, UHT milk, bottles of water, fruit juice, chocolate, energy bars, snacks, cookies, helva, and disposable cups, utensils, and plates.
17. Umut Hareketi by Izmir Municipality (TR) (Donations from Abroad)
The “Movement of Hope” initiative by those in Izmir is about as simple as it gets in terms of donations. Navigate to the site, choose what you’d like to purchase and send to the affected areas, and process it with options for those living abroad as well.
18. International Blue Crescent (SY/TR) (Donations from Abroad)
The IBC is a Turkey-based NGO that have been operating since 1999 and gained some of their first experiences in relief work and solidarity in the earthquakes from that year. They’ve assisted with relief aid work globally in the years since, and currently have operations in both Northern Syria and Turkey to help with the earthquake relief. They have launched a JustGiving campaign to help them raise funds to help with aid work and provide tents, food, and other necessities to people there. At the time of writing, they are very close to reaching their $100,000 fundraising goal.
19. Istanbul Medical Chamber (TR) (Donations from Abroad & Volunteering)
The Istanbul Medical Chamber (as are the other medical associations in Turkey) is on the ground providing much-needed medical assistance to those in need. They currently have a very targeted donation call to help raise funds to purchase residential containers and supplies for healthcare workers in the field. You can donate from within Turkey or abroad via the link below. Additionally, if you have a background in healthcare and speak Turkish, you can volunteer via the main announcement on their website.
20. International Rescue Committee (SY/TR) (Donations from Abroad)
The IRC is an internationally reputable organization that has been assisting in disaster-hit areas since the 1930s. They currently have a fundraising campaign where any donation given will be matched/doubled. The donation UI on their website also informs you of what kind of reach your donated funds will have in helping people.
21. GlobalGiving (SY/TR) (Donations from Abroad)
GlobalGiving is an organization that many who have worked with NGOs or fundraising campaigns will have heard of, as they help nonprofits access valuable resources, training, support, and of course funding. They have a Turkey and Syria specific fundraising campaign taking place now, with the aim of raising $5,000,000.
22. Her Eve Bir Pati (TR) (Donations from Abroad)
Based in Bursa, this animal welfare shelter reached out to us in the hopes of raising funds for their current fundraising campaign. They are driving to the earthquake affected regions, filling their vehicles (proper shelter vehicles with kennels) with as many animals as they can safely transport, and bringing them to their center in Bursa. At the moment, they are only accepting foster homes in Bursa (as they properly vet applicants), but could use the funds for transportation and veterinary costs. Keep up with them through their Instagram.
23. Lubunya Deprem Dayanışması (TR) (Donations from Abroad)
With strong support from some of Turkey’s most well-known university LGBTQIA+ organizations, Lubunya Deprem Dayanışması has put together a fundraising campaign with donations going towards supporting LGBTQIA+ members and sex workers from the impacted earthquake areas. For additional information, we suggest keeping up with their Instagram, which like the campaign page, has details in multiple languages.
Useful & Crowd-Sourced Resources
Boğaziçi University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute Latest Earthquakes – Largely adding this one as there has understandably been a fair share of panic about aftershocks and other earthquakes taking place, with fake information unfortunately being spread on occasion. This is a reliable list of recent earthquakes and their details.
OTELZ Free Accommodation – A list for those impacted by the earthquakes who are in need of accommodation.
Deprem Platformları – A website which is essentially an aggregate of other useful pages, many/most of which we’ll be including below.
deprem.io – A very straightforward layout allows people to request help and also offer it, with additional crowd-sourced resources including regularly updated maps and lists of various relevant needs. Things like offering your vehicle for transport, offering a room for accommodation, and more are all features.
Afet Haritası – A map that essentially displays the impact zones according to density of destruction.
Deprem Yardım – A website to enter information regarding those under wreckage.
Ben Iyiyim – A website to inform relatives and loved ones that you/they are safe.
Afet Destek – A very useful map (with a legend) that will likely feature additional crowd-sourced updates on a number of needs like pharmacies, bathrooms, veterinarians, etc. in disaster-impacted areas.
IT Deprem Yardım – A Discord server with over 20,000 members discussing how to best assist (largely around IT issues) and create resources for dealing with this crisis.
EvimEvindir – A site for people to offer accommodation to people impacted.
MisafirOl – Another site for people to offer accommodation to people impacted.
We will be regularly updating this piece! For other resources you think should be included in this list (please try to verify before sending to us), please feel free to e-mail editor@yabangee.com. We are a small team, with most of us already volunteering on the ground during the day, so please be patient with us.
