In 2023, two powerful earthquakes erupted across Turkiye and Syria. One of the deadliest earthquakes in over 20 years, the initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake was centered near Gaziantep, a city in south central Turkiye home to millions of Syrian refugees. Over 40,000 people were killed, many more were injured, and thousands of buildings were destroyed.

In response, Islamic Relief worked with local partners across Turkiye and Syria to distribute vital emergency relief. In Turkiye specifically, we provided families in need with food aid, essential non-food items including hygiene kits and blankets, and cash assistance to help pay for any other immediate needs. And as our efforts continue, we plan to focus on long-term development aid. To this day, we continue to focus on long-term development aid.

Islamic Relief’s global family and partnerships—including local staff in more than three dozen countries—maximize IRUSA’s ability to respond to urgent situations with speed and efficiency. We also maintain the highest standards of best practices, dignity, and cultural sensitivity, and we make sure that our response aligns with survivors’ needs immediately, for the longer-term, or both!

IRUSA’s emergency aid efforts can include distribution of items such as food, water, financial aid, and more. Construction of temporary shelters and providing vital medical aid are often priorities too. And when applicable, we work with community groups on the ground to assess what we can do to help with longer-term recovery, rebuilding, and revitalization efforts.

In the United States specifically, IRUSA’s Disaster Response Team (DRT) serve as first responders for emergencies. From natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires to tragedies like the Pulse and Parkland shootings, the DRT team continues to be one of the first humanitarian teams nationwide to lend a helping hand to people in their most trying hours.

Thanks to you, we've been able to accomplish so much. But there's still so much more to do. By continuing to support our efforts in Turkiye, you can help make a difference in the lives of those in desperate need.

Islamic Relief has been working in Turkiye since the early 2000s, providing both emergency and long-term aid to locals as well as refugee populations living there.

To learn more, visit irusa.org/turkiye.

When you make the decision to help fundraise for the effort, you go beyond just thoughts and prayers. This increased IMPACT is priceless, because it means we’re able to meet more needs of those who are waiting for us to lend a helping hand.

And if you're reading this message, it's because you want to go beyond the call the duty. For you, it's not enough to just keep those children in your thoughts and prayer.  You want to double your impact by helping to sponsor these emergency efforts and helping deliver aid to those affected by creating a fundraising page. Get started by creating your page today!

We’re so glad you came. Just scroll to the top of the page and click "become a fundraiser" to setup your page and start promoting to your network via e-mail, social media, and your preferred messaging app. Even with a goal as small as $50, you can provide urgent food aid for families.