We recently made an open call to our community for suggestions and have since compiled a list of organizations that are currently taking part in relief efforts regarding the fires taking place across Turkey, and that are in need of additional support. Much of the content on their various platforms is in Turkish, but we’ve tried to include any necessary details you’d need to be able to donate. Google Translate is your friend when in doubt. The list will likely be updated over time and we appreciate any additional input.
1. TEMA – Turkish Foundation for Combating Erosion, Deforestation, and the Conservation of Natural Assets. They are currently accepting donations for a reforestation campaign for areas damaged by the fires. 10 TL per sapling, with donations accepted via their site (www.tema.org.tr/yenidenyesertecegiz), IBAN, credit card from abroad, or via text.
2. Haytap – Animal Rights Federation. An established organization involved in many animal related issues in Turkey, currently on site treating animals impacted by the fires. Their website has an English version, but the donation section is listed under “bağış yap” and doesn’t seem to translate.
3. Yaşam Hakkına Saygı Derneği – Right to Life Association. Currently engaged in a campaign to spread awareness on the fire’s impact to animals, they’re encouraging individuals to take animals to the nearest veterinarians and helping to cover the costs of their medical expenses. More details on donating can be found through their site.
4. Yardım Gönüllüleri Eğitim Ve Proje Derneği – An Antalya-based group currently taking in donations (monetary and supplies). The transparency of their work is on regular display via their Facebook page, as well as additional details on how you can donate and support.
5. Türk Kızılay – Turkish Red Crescent. Likely the most well known organization in Turkey with a scope that includes disaster aid, education, social projects, and much more. Their site has an English version and donating is streamlined and easy with everything detailed in English, albeit for general donations. Their Instagram (@kizilay) does appear to list a fire-specific donation method via text message.
6. Muratpaşa Municipality & Municipalities in impacted areas more generally – You will find that many of the local area municipalities have streamlined methods of donating supplies, volunteering your time, or monetary donations. We’ve included Muratpaşa as their Instagram appears to be quite active and details how you can support.
7. Ahbap – Providing aid to those in need (and in this case, those affected by the fires), ranges from supplies, to temporary housing, and beyond. Their Instagram (@ahbap) seems the best way to keep up with their work, while their site details a few different ways you can support, but you’d likely need to run the site through Google Translate.
8. AKUT – Search and Rescue Organization. A very established and easily identifiable organization to support in the event of any disaster that takes place in Turkey (many will likely recall them from earthquake responses). Their site, under “bağış yap” has several ways they are currently taking in donations. Their Instagram (@akutdernegi) details a lot of the often dangerous on-site work they are currently engaged in.
9. Afet Platformu – 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. You can visit their Instagram (@afetplatformu) to see more specific breakdowns of what is needed where (for example, T-shirts to a specific organization)
10. İhtiyaç Haritası / Afet Haritası – Connected with Afet Platformu and their mission of inter-organizational disaster response coordination, this is a regularly updated map that shows places of need. You can keep up with their Instagram (@ihtiyacharitasiofficial) for updates as well.
11. Genç Haçiko – The organization works nationwide with veterinarians and provides on-site support to animals in distress. You can support them financially via https://fonzip.com/haciko/bagis, and can also find the opportunity to volunteer locally with them (although some Turkish is probably required) on their official page. You can keep up with their current response work via their Instagram (@genchaciko).
12. BirDestekBirYuva – This campaign is currently aimed at restoring villages, barns, greenhouses, and other essential structures that were lost in the recent fires. The campaign is launched with the support of Ihtiyaç Haritası and Nef Vakfı, two credible organizations. Financial donations can most easily be made via: https://fonzip.com/nefvakfi/birdestekbiryuva
Have other organizations you believe should be included? Please let us know in the comments.
