Natural disasters such as earthquakes have the capacity to shatter communities in an instant, and they leave a pool of despair and destruction behind them. Earlier in the year, Türkiye fell victim to this, wherein shockwaves were sent through the nation in both a figurative and literal sense. As a result, the survivors have been left grappling with the struggles that were inflicted by the disaster. The need for collective support and assistance couldn’t be greater, so UKIM is here to delve into the aftermath of the Türkiye earthquakes and how you can help with the recovery and rebuilding of the nation
Collapsed infrastructure, crumbled buildings, and lost lives all took hold as a result of the earthquakes in Türkiye. Meanwhile, thousands of people have been displaced, and the absence of a home has led to immeasurable psychological pain. Locals are struggling to find a sense of normality as the region finds itself in a seemingly constant state of disarray. This has also meant that businesses and, therefore, livelihoods have been shattered, leaving individuals with economic repercussions that they can’t recover from.
This disaster has shown us just how fragile human existence is, making it more important than ever for donors to unite on a global scale to help those in need.
Naturally, the response to the Türkiye earthquake had to be rapid, which is why UKIM had the team on the ground almost immediately to provide life-saving aid. We worked to provide temporary shelter, medical assistance, clean water, and food to ensure that locals were able to survive the impact of the earthquake.
At such a difficult time, it’s more important than ever to ensure that basic human needs are met to prevent the further loss of life. That said, our immediate response wouldn’t be possible without the support of our donors, and our work doesn’t stop there. Recovering from the impact of an earthquake of this size can take years, which is why we require further donations to help us rebuild lives and communities across the region.
Once the shock starts to die down, the time comes to start rebuilding lives and communities. This doesn’t solely apply to rebuilding physical structures, but it also refers to the restoration of hope and normality for locals. In order to get the essential services back up and running, public infrastructure, hospitals, and schools all need to be rebuilt. Meanwhile, helping survivors with trauma and grief means providing psychological support and counselling. Ultimately, the goal at this stage is to provide sustainable assistance to ensure survivors are given long-term security.
Here at UKIM, we’re doing all we can to help those in Türkiye; however, you can do your bit, too. Detailed below are just some of the ways you can go about helping the residents of Türkiye recover from the recent earthquake.
One method of helping survivors in Türkiye requires no financial contribution whatsoever, and that is raising awareness. As a result, this can be carried out by anyone and everyone. Spreading awareness allows you to generate support, and this can be done in the form of online blogs, social media, or community gatherings. It’s all about humanising the impact of the disaster so people understand just how desperate the situation really is, influencing them to provide some form of support.
If you don’t have the finances to donate, you might have a look around your home to see what material donations could be of benefit to survivors. Non-perishable food items, blankets, and clothing can all provide relief to disaster-stricken areas.
While individual donations are powerful, collective efforts can make even more of an impact. Therefore, you might consider establishing or participating in a fundraising campaign. Thanks to crowdfunding websites and social media, it’s easier than it has ever been to reach a wide audience and gain support for causes.
If you’re able to do so, providing help on the ground is one of the most valuable things you can do for Türkiye. From offering emotional support to locals to distributing supplies, volunteers are essential for the recovery process. When doing so, though, it’s essential that you partner with an established organisation, such as UKIM, to ensure the efforts are well-organised and aligned with the needs on the ground.
Last but not least, UKIM invites you to donate to our Earthquake appeal. We have already used funds to provide immediate relief, and we are using future donations to support long-term rebuilding projects. All donations, big or small, make a world of difference to the lives of those in need, so please give what you can.
Copyright © 2024 UKIM All Rights Reserved.
UK Registered Charity Since 1962
Charity Registration No. 250275
