As I have written on Monday, a major earthquake hit Turkey and largely affected Syria. Shortly after in the same day, another earthquake followed, magnitudes 7.8 and 7.5 respectively. This week is our national mourning week, and honestly, I’m so lost, frustrated, and so angry that I don’t know what to do. I have a lot to say about how this situation once again solidified the fact that Middle East is see as disposable in the eyes of the West, but what difference would it make when even the people in power in my own country do not see the citizens as people?
The only reason I came back here is to share some oficcial ways you can donate and help, and then I’ll be taking a break. I appreciated the people who left kind comments under my last post and who checked in on me over my social media.
AHBAP
AHBAP is another local, voluntary network that currently actively work in the field, and it’s a platform that can be trusted. I’ve been following their activity ever since the incident and they are dıing an excellent job! They have an option to donate using a credit card.
AFAD
AFAD is Turkey’s official disaster and emergency management authority. I previously added their donation link but as much as I’d like to say they did a horrible job during the critical first 72-hours, they practically did nothing so… I stopped donating to charity organizations that distribute the goods through AFAD.
AKUT
A voluntary, non-governmental organization involved in searching, assisting, and rescuing victims affected by the earthquake. They are fully transparent about how they spend their donations. Their donation website is in English, and they accept both USD and EUR. They also provide payment by credit card, which might be convenient.
UNION OF MEDICAL RELIEF AND CARE ORGANIZATIONS
In times of crisis, I believe it’s important to fact-check and make sure the donations go to people that are in need. In that sense, I hesitated to share any links for Syria, and currently, the only official source I came across that help both Turkey and Syria is the Union of Medical Relief and Care Organizations.
CORRECTION ABOUT EMBASSIES
Before, I said that embassies in your respective countries might have made a call but today I saw the news that the embassy in Milan, Italy, have asked the donations to be sent to the Diyanet (Religious Affairs) Foundation, like… what in the actual capital F??? I’m super embarrassed on these leeches’ behalf that this is happening during a major crisis, but suffice to say that this foundation has done almost no contribution. So I urge you to either support Red Cross/Doctors Without Border etc. organizations that you personally trust or the links I have provided above.
IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT I'M NOT POPULAR! 
Hey, I’m very sorry to hear about all of this. I hope you and those close to you are okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this update and for the information – as you say, facts in a crisis are most important. Continue to take care of yourself and now that your readers are thinking about you, even if we can’t be there in person. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person