Episcopal Journal and Cafe
Episcopal Relief & Development said it is partnering with Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) and International Blue Crescent (IBC) to provide food, shelter, supplies and mental health support to people in Türkiye (Turkey) affected by the earthquakes that took place in early February 2023.
Close to 18 million people in Türkiye and Syria were affected by the earthquakes, which killed over 55,000 people and injured almost 130,000. Before the quake, Türkiye hosted the largest number of refugees in the world, including 3.6 million Syrians. Currently, over four million people in Türkiye are living in tents or informal shelters near their damaged homes.
“The situation in Türkiye remains a crisis for those impacted by the earthquakes,” said Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Program Officer, Disaster Resilience. “We are actively engaging with our partners throughout the region to continue to assess peoples’ needs and provide support as necessary.”
With Episcopal Relief & Development’s support, DKH is responding to meet the needs of over 30,000 people in Türkiye by providing needs-based, dignified, safe and community-driven support. Their response will include providing shelter to 2,000 people, family hygiene kits for 12,000, clean water for 4,800, mental health services for 300 and staff care for 95.
Additionally, Episcopal Relief & Development is working with IBC to support 1,000 displaced people living in a camp in Özdere, Izmir, Türkiye. IBC will also provide hot meals, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene kits to those living in the camp, who range from infants to elderly people.
The relief and development agency asked Episcopalians to continue to pray for those who have been affected by the earthquake. More information is available at the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Response Fund.
