On 6 February 2023, a series of powerful earthquakes struck southern and central Türkiye (formerly known as Turkey*) and northern Syria. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake has left thousands dead. Collapsed buildings have left tens of thousands more people injured, trapped or homeless in the bitter winter cold and freezing rain. This region is home to millions of refugees, many of whom are already living in makeshift structures.

This give list provides a range of eligible Dedictible Gift Recipient (DGR) Item 1 organisations working to support those impacted by this destructive earthquake.

While the entities listed below are all known to APS, we do not conduct a detailed analysis of their financial position and governance ahead of their inclusion in this list. This is not an exhaustive list of the not-for-profit organisations working in this space.

Australian Red Cross

ABN 50 169 561 394
https://www.redcross.org.au/earthquakes/

The Australian Red Cross’s partners on the ground, Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent, have been mobilised to support the people communities affected by this crisis. Both Red Crescent teams are involved in search and rescue operations, as well as providing aid items such as tents and blankets to support those injured and evacuated. In addition, Red Cross is deploying blood supplies to hospitals in impacted areas, as well as psychosocial support to treat those in shock.

Care Australia

ABN 46 003 380 890
https://www.care.org.au/appeals/turkiye-syria-earthquake/

CARE Australia has launched an emergency appeal for those impacted by the earthquake in both Türkiye & Syria. Shelter, food, water and other lifesaving supplies will be distributed as quickly as access allows.

Caritas Australia

ABN 90 970 605 069
https://www.caritas.org.au/donate/emergency-appeals/turkey-and-syria-earthquake/

Caritas Australia is working with Caritas Türkiye and local authorities to respond to the devastation caused by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, they will provide lifesaving essentials, such as first aid and assistance to vulnerable communities affected by the earthquake including life- as food rations, clean water and emergency shelter.

Emergency Action Alliance

ABN 52 646 274 348
https://emergencyaction.org.au/turkeysyriaearthquake

Emergency Action Alliance was established in 2020 and is made up of 16 leading aid organisations specialising in different areas of disaster response. By working together, these aid organisations channel resources into a fast and effective response to international emergencies. The Alliance acts as a single fundraising entity for large-scale disasters, such as the recent earthquake, with the goal of making it easy for donors to navigate confusion around emergency funding. Member organisations on the ground include ADRA, UNHCR, Caritas, Save the Children and World Vision. Examples of the work they are doing include providing urgent humanitarian aid including water, food, shelter, blankets and clothing.

Global Development Group (GDG)

ABN 57 102 400 993
https://globaldevelopmentgroup.org/Projects/

GDG is a non-government organisation carrying out humanitarian projects with approved partners, providing aid to relieve poverty. In co-operation with its long-term partner, World Food Programme (WFP), GDG is launching an emergency relief appeal to provide food assistance for the tens of thousands displaced by the disaster. WFP is already working closely with the Turkish Government and the Turkish Red Crescent to provide food assistance and livelihood support to more than 42,000 Syrian refugees living in six camps in southeast Türkiye, where the worst effects of the quakes were felt.

Save the Children Australia

ABN 99 008 610 035
https://www.savethechildren.org.au/donate/appeals/childrens-emergency-fund

Save the Children Australia is supporting its partners in North-West Syria and Türkiye by way of releasing funds from its Children’s Emergency Fund. In North-West Syria, Save the Children is working to assess the scale of the damage and provide support to children. In Türkiye, the teams on the ground are planning immediate emergency response support to affected communities with winterization and emergency kits, including blankets and winter clothing.

ShelterBox Australia

ABN 21143129220
https://www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au/turkey-earthquake/

ShelterBox Australia works with disaster-affected communities around the world to provide emergency shelter and essential items by way of their ShelterBoxes and ShelterKits. ShelterBoxes contain family-sized tents designed to withstand the elements and provide displaced people with temporary shelter. ShelterKits contain essential tools people need to start repairing and rebuilding homes straight away. Shelterbox has launched an emergency fundraising appeal has been launched to provide emergency shelter and essential items to those affected, and an emergency response team has been deployed to carry out crucial assessments.

UNHCR

ABN 35 092 843 322
https://www.unrefugees.org.au/campaigns/turkiye-syria-earthquakes

In Türkiye, UNHCR is working with authorities and other UN agencies to provide urgent aid, such as tents, mattresses, and kitchen sets. Meanwhile, in Syria, they are delivering survival kits with thermal blankets, tarpaulins and sleeping mats to the worst-affected areas, including Aleppo and Homs.

UNICEF

ABN 35 060 581 437
https://www.unicef.org.au/donate/syria-crisis-appeal

UNICEF is putting an immediate focus on providing safe water to the communities most impacted in north-west Syria. Child Protection services, psychosocial support, nutrition and the provision of education services will all also be among the immediate response priorities in the aftermath of this crisis.

World Vision

ABN 28 004 778 081
https://www.worldvision.com.au/global-issues/world-emergencies/turkey-syria-earthquake

World Vision is currently responding to communities Gaziantep and Sanliurfa in Türkiye, as well as Azaz, Afrin, and Idlib in northern Syria. They are helping people get access to temporary shelters, heaters, clean water, and critically needed healthcare; as well as providing care for children whose families aren’t able to in the midst of this crisis. There is also a dire need for fuel to restore heating and electricity to medical facilities and emergency shelters during cold and sub-zero conditions, which World Vision is working hard to distribute.

*Please note, as of 2022, the United Nations has accepted the internationally recognised official country name of Türkiye.  

Last updated 8 February 2023