A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake and its aftershocks ravaged southern Türkiye (formerly Turkey) and northern Syria beginning on February 6, killing more than 49,000 people and damaging 57,000 homes and other structures, and left people across the region without shelter in bitterly cold winter weather.
While still reeling from the impact of the first earthquake, another 6.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in the same area on February 20, bringing even more devastation. According to Turkish authorities, more than 13.5 million people have been affected and the United Nations high commissioner for refugees estimates that 5.3 million people have been left homeless in Syria.
Rotary International and its partner, ShelterBox, continue to work together to respond to the immediate needs of the people affected by this monumental natural disaster. In 2000, the idea for ShelterBox came from the Rotary Club of Helson-Lizard in Cornwall, England, when watching the news and wanting to do more after seeing that people were left with nothing after a disaster. Over the past 20 years, ShelterBox has supported over 1.5 million people with emergency shelter aid, essential items and training to help recover after disasters.
One of the benefits that ShelterBox has is that we can work with Rotarians in disasters like this on the ground," said Jeffry Cadorette, Director, ShelterBox USA and Past Rotary International Director.
"That network, wherever we deploy our resources, helps us understand the landscape and get the assets to where they are needed. Rotary's partnership is a huge asset." Cadorette, a long-time member of Media Rotary, also serves on the Global Strategy Task Force for the ShelterBox Trust in England.
The severe cold and lack of safe shelter has put many lives at risk and people have little choice but to sleep in the open air for fear of aftershocks. ShelterBox aid has arrived in the region over the past few weeks with emergency tents, blankets, warm clothing and other essential supplies. In northwest Syria, many buildings have already been damaged by years of civil war, and that’s where some of the worst damage has been reported.
“In an instant, their life has changed and they’ve lost everything. They are looking for an avenue of help and hope. That’s what ShelterBox provides. They shine a light into that darkness.. ”
"People who have been affected by natural disasters or conflict are standing at the edge of all of the light that they know. In an instant, their life has changed and they've lost everything. They are looking for an avenue of help and hope. That's what ShelterBox provides. They shine a light into that darkness. They have no idea how to take that next step forward," said Cadorette. "Once they are there, that's when Rotary can step in to help rebuild the community. It will take years and years to rebuild from this devastation."
How can you help?
1. Donate individually to ShelterBox HERE.
2. Donate individually to The Rotary Foundation’s Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund HERE. From now until March 31, funds will be used to aid earthquake relief projects. In addition, more than $125,000 was made available to Rotary districts affected by the earthquake through Disaster Response Grants.
3. Start a fundraising campaign in your club to help with the disaster response.
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