Rescue workers and volunteers are searching for survivors amid the rubble of a collapsed building in Şanlıurfa, Turkey (photo: AFP). The global fundraising platform GoFundMe reports that more than 1,500 online pages have been created to aid earthquake victims in both Turkey and Syria, raising over £500,000 so far.
Two major earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.5, struck the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey on Monday. The quakes affected a vast area, including several large cities, and have killed 3,419 people, injured 20,534, and left many still missing. According to the Red Cross, the disasters have impacted at least ten provinces in Turkey and Syria, such as Diyarbakır, Hama, Aleppo, Latakia and Tartus.
John Coventry, international vice‑president of GoFundMe, told Sky News that “the crisis unfolding across the region is truly devastating, and we are seeing a large number of fundraising efforts. Our trust and safety team is verifying those funds and will work with organisers and beneficiaries to get help where it’s needed most as soon as possible.”
Among the notable campaigns are:
– A page set up by Ediz Karahasanoglu, which raised more than £24,000 in 24 hours for local and governmental organisations involved in rescue and aid.
– A fundraiser by Simon Harris that has collected over £14,000 for Save the Children, which is preparing to assist people on the ground.
– An appeal by Britain Alxas Community Centre, a London‑based Turkish charity, to support those affected in Turkey.
– “Help the Victims of the Earthquake in Turkey,” created by Mustafa Melik, which has gathered €6,948 toward a €10,000 goal.
– A campaign by Ali Efkan Kaya that has raised £8,316 of a £15,000 target.
International organisations such as the World Health Organization, the International Red Cross Society and others have also dispatched relief materials to the earthquake victims.
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