A DEC-organized appeal for aid to survivors of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has raised over £100 million in a mere two weeks.44,000 people have lost their lives and over 100,000 have been injured due to the quakes, with Turkey being hit by an additional 6.4 magnitude tremor this week that killed six people. The United Nations has reported that 1.5 million people in the south of Turkey are now homeless in the aftermath of the earthquakes. The DEC, an umbrella group of UK charities, urgently calls for donations to assist in the relief effort for those affected by the natural disaster.
Thousands of constructions, including medical centres and educational institutions, have been destructed in Turkey and Syria, resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure such as roads and power supplies. In response to the crisis, the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) began a fundraising campaign on 9 February via television and radio, which has so far amassed £101.5m. A number of celebrities, including Daniel Craig, Tamsin Greig, Sir Michael Palin and Reverend Richard Coles, have lent their support to the initiative. Funds raised from the campaign will be allocated towards providing emergency shelter and medical aid, as well as hot meals, blankets, bedding and other household items, clean water and secure places for children.
Donations to UK aid agencies responding to the earthquakes in Turkey have passed £50 million, with support from donors including the British Royal Family, the UK government and leading public figures. The DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) has reported that generous personal donations have been made to the appeal by King Charles, the Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales. The UK government has matched these donations by contributing £5m to the fund, through the UK Aid Match scheme. Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the DEC, expressed his gratitude, saying that the public had “once again excelled and supported people when they need it most”. He described the situation as “terrifying”, with a third earthquake trapping many people under rubble. High-profile figures have also spoken out, with actor Daniel Craig saying the public response had been “incredibly moving to see”, and Sir Michael Palin describing the crisis as “deepening” for many families. With temperatures dropping in Turkey and northwest Syria, it is hoped that the donations will help to provide much-needed relief for those affected.
