Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal

Published: 24th February 2023

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched a UK-wide appeal to raise urgently needed funds to support the relief effort in Turkey and north-west Syria.

We’ve all seen the news about the devastating earthquakes that have hit southern Turkey and north-west Syria, killing over 45,000 people.  This is the worst disaster the country has experienced in 84 years with thousands of hospitals, schools and other buildings destroyed and tens of thousands of people injured.

UK-wide appeal

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched a UK-wide appeal bringing together 15 leading UK charities that work in partnership with the major broadcasters at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. 

How you can help

You can help people affected by the crisis by making a donation and helping to raise money for the DEC appeal. This will allow DEC charities and their local partners to scale up their response and reach more people.

DEC members include six agencies active in Scotland:

  • Islamic Relief Scotland
  • Oxfam Scotland
  • The British Red Cross
  • Tearfund
  • Save the Children
  • Christian Aid Scotland

The immediate focus of the relief effort is to save lives and help people who have been injured or lost their homes by providing medical care, temporary shelter and blankets. Other priorities are food and clean water and sanitation to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera which is already present in north-west Syria.

Our Councillors have expressed sympathies for the events in Turkey and Syria and the devastation caused by the natural disaster. Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents of towns and villages at what continues to be a difficult time. 

More information

To find out more, visit the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal website.

  • £10 could provide blankets to keep two people warm
  • £25 could provide emergency food for a family for ten days 
  • £50 could provide emergency shelter for two families