DEC Volunteers arriving with a package of essential relief items. Credit: DEC Twitter

UK Charities are joining forces in order to bring relief to those affected by the Turkey-Syria Earthquake.

Approximately 30 million people were affected by the earthquake in Turkey and 10.9 million in Syria. The earthquakes are considered the worst in Turkey in last 19 years and for Syria the most devastating within a century.

King Charles Visits WLTV

West London Turkish Volunteers are one of many charities helping to bring relief to victims of Turkey-Syria earthquake. The charity is collecting, packaging and organising transport of food, blankets and clothing aiming to aid those affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. WLTV were even visited by King Charles on Tuesday.

King Charles enjoying some traditional Turkish tea in the West London Turkey Volunteers HQ, picture by India McTaggart source: Twitter of India McTaggart
DEC Launches The Appeal

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is launching an emergency appeal for Turkey and Syria earthquakes. They coordinate a joint response by 14 UK charities including: Oxfam, British Red Cross and Save The Children. Their efforts were appreciated by the current monarch King Charles who generously donated to the DEC initiative.

Wales raised £2.6 million just six days after DEC announced the appeal and asked for donations. It was matched by £5 million donation from UK Government as a part of UK Aid Match scheme.

What Will Future Bring For Syria And Turkey?

The focus and priority in current efforts is on the most vulnerable victims – children. The United Nations estimate that there are 4.6 million children from Turkey and 2.5 million from Syria that were living in the areas affected by the earthquake. Save The Children distributes temporary shelter tents and essential items such as warm clothing, heaters, baby food and nappies.

DEC volunteer distributing nappies source: DEC Twitter
DEC volunteer distributing nappies source: DEC Twitter

Overall DEC’s joint effort reached £84 million in just six days.

Meanwhile NATO secretary general visited Turkey yesterday to show organization’s support to its fellow member. Jens Stoltenberg pleaded NATO’s aid for Turkey but at the same time underlined that “the time is now” for Turkey to approve Sweden and Finland joining the NATO.