Türkiye-Syria earthquake: an update

With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of lives and destruction caused by the powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria in the early hours of February 6th. The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, with the most recent occurring on February 20th. The earthquakes have caused devastation and displacement.  Already over 47.000 casualties are counted, and 13.5 million are estimated to have been affected.

Cooperatives Europe stands in solidarity with the people of Türkiye and Syria. As a cooperative family, we have come together to offer support and aid to those in need.

We continue to support cooperative organizations on the ground like Türkiye Koop, ORKOOP, and Genc Isi Kooperatif who have launched an appeal to donate through the hashtag #coops4TR. They recommend channeling donations through AKUT Search and Rescue Association, AHBAP, or Needs Map and Inogar Coop’s shared fundraising page.

Youth Deal Cooperative Genç İşi Kooperatif in Türkiye says they calculated donations of up to a total of 125.000 US dollars in aid already in the first 7 days following their campaign. It is asked to report your donation amounts via e-mail (Türkiye Koop, ORKOOP, Youth Deal Cooperative ([email protected], [email protected]) so contributions can be monitored and made visible.

Co-operatives UK, one of our members, has also launched an appeal to raise funds.

“Cooperation is the response to dramatic situations such as the strong earthquakes in Turkey & Syria and the wildfires in south-central Chile” said the International Cooperative Alliance President, Ariel Guarco.

We will keep supporting the cooperative movement in its effort to rebuild and we encourage citizens and society at large to offer their continued support to those affected by the earthquakes.