Orphan Foundation Donates 30 Million in Aid to Earthquake Victims
Since the first day of the devastating earthquakes that struck 11 cities, the Orphan Foundation has been tirelessly working to provide assistance, reaching even the most remote villages in the affected regions. The Foundation has successfully delivered 60 truckloads of emergency supplies, while also offering psychosocial support to 7,000 earthquake survivors. Additionally, the organization has distributed hot meals to nearly 50,000 individuals to date.
Following the 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude earthquakes that severely impacted Turkey, with the epicenter located in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, the Orphan Foundation has maintained an unwavering commitment to its relief efforts. These efforts began immediately after the earthquakes with the provision of essential emergency supplies, and have since expanded to include psychosocial support services for children starting in the third week of February. This two-pronged approach has been vital in helping children affected by the disaster cope with the trauma, offering them a chance to begin healing and rebuild their lives.
60 Truckloads of Aid Delivered
In the aftermath of what has been called the "earthquake of the century," the Orphan Foundation has directed all donations toward alleviating the suffering of those affected by the disaster. Since February 6, the Foundation has delivered over 30 million Turkish Lira in aid to the region. Thanks to the mobilization of more than 500 volunteers, a total of 60 truckloads of supplies, including food, clothing, hygiene products, household items, and 64 tents, have been sent to the earthquake-stricken cities. Specifically, the aid distribution has included clothing for 98,783 individuals, food packages for 63,413 people, hygiene kits for 758,905 individuals, and household goods for 3,359 families.
Additionally, the Foundation has provided direct cash assistance of 600,000 Turkish Lira to the survivors, while also establishing shelter for displaced families. A total of 16 container homes—10 in Kahramanmaraş-Elbistan and 6 in Hatay and Adıyaman—have been set up to offer temporary accommodation to those in need.
This ongoing effort exemplifies the Orphan Foundation's commitment to the recovery and rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected communities, striving to restore dignity and hope to those who have suffered tremendous loss.
FREE BOOK DISTRIBUTION
In an effort to support students who were caught in the devastating earthquake while preparing for their exams, the Orphan Foundation distributed free exam preparation books to 1,858 students. This initiative aimed to convey to these young individuals that they are not alone in overcoming the profound trauma they have endured, while offering them a tangible tool to hold onto hope and perseverance. Moreover, in an effort to provide solace to children, whose minds can only momentarily escape the weight of their trauma through play, the Foundation distributed a total of 17,666 toys, bringing a small yet meaningful reprieve to the youngest victims of this catastrophe.
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT FOR 7,000 INDIVIDUALS
The Orphan Foundation has been relentless in its commitment to providing psychosocial assistance, both within Turkey and in neighboring Syria, following the devastating earthquake. In the weeks following the disaster, the Foundation’s Psychosocial Support Center mobilized its teams to provide much-needed services across five earthquake-affected provinces. Since February 16, and for a continuous period of two months, these teams, composed of dedicated staff and volunteers, have worked tirelessly to reach and support nearly 7,000 individuals in need. The cities of Adıyaman, Hatay, Malatya, Kilis, and Gaziantep have been focal points for this mission, where the Foundation’s outreach efforts spanned rural areas, temporary shelter camps, and other remote locations.
REACHING EVERY CORNER OF THE AFFECTED REGION
With teams rotating on a weekly basis, between 4 to 10 members per group, the Foundation ensured that it was able to reach virtually every corner of the affected regions. Coordinated from the Istanbul Headquarters, the first week of intervention in Kilis, Hatay, Malatya, and Adıyaman involved comprehensive field assessments to evaluate the specific needs and challenges faced by the communities. Building upon these assessments, the Foundation initiated targeted psychosocial interventions tailored to the local trauma. These interventions included psychological first aid, as well as therapeutic activities such as art therapy, drama, and group counseling, which were designed to assist survivors in processing their grief and loss. Additionally, individual counseling sessions were conducted where deemed necessary to address the particular emotional needs of individuals.
MEALS FOR NEARLY 50,000 PEOPLE
Understanding that one of the immediate needs in the wake of such a catastrophe is access to basic nutrition, the Orphan Foundation swiftly mobilized to provide hot meals to survivors, many of whom were struggling to secure adequate sustenance amidst the chaos. Initially, the Foundation distributed 1,000 hot meals daily to those in urgent need. In addition, throughout the course of the week, 1,500 pizzas were delivered to families living in temporary shelters, ensuring that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, they could experience moments of comfort and care.
