
‘God is crying with us’
Days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated communities in Turkey and…
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey in early February has left tens of thousands dead and hundreds of thousands people homeless in winter. Another 6.4-magnitude earthquake in the already devastated Hatay Province on Feb. 21 further complicated the ongoing relief efforts.
The Christian Chronicle previously reported on the efforts of Christians and ministries in Turkey after the initial quake. With many people in need of medical care and shelter, the international community has responded to offer assistance.
Following is a list of organizations involved with aid in the devastated communities.
Related: ‘God is crying with us’
Healing Hands International, a Nashville, Tenn.-based nonprofit associated with Churches of Christ, is accepting funds to help with disaster relief and aid. The ministry is in contact with Turkish churches and Christians sponsored by U.S.-based Churches of Christ to assess community needs.
İlk Umut Derneği — “First Hope Association” in English — is accepting funds for disaster assistance. The Turkish faith-based nongovernmental organization is working with the Turkish Red Crescent, the Ministry of Interior and AFAD, Turkey’s disaster and emergency management authority, to serve the affected communities with mobile hygiene units. The nonprofit is also partnering with Samaritan’s Purse to expedite care in the devastated cities.
Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization, is accepting funds to equip medical units in disaster zones. The ministry opened an emergency field hospital in Antakya, Turkey, on Feb. 13, in the parking lot of a Turkish hospital which is no longer functional due to the earthquake. The hospital is equipped with 52 patient beds, a pharmacy and two operating rooms, and the organization has 93 disaster response specialists working in devastated areas.
Water Mission, a Christian engineering nonprofit, is accepting funds to provide safe water solutions for clinics and hospitals operating in communities devastated by the earthquakes. The nonprofit has a small disaster assistance response team on the ground evaluating emergency water, sanitation and hygiene needs.
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