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Branch donation to Türkiye and Syria

Branch donation to Türkiye and Syria

Syrian Civil Defense trying to rescue people trapped in the rubble after the earthquake. Aleppo, 12 February 2023. Photo: Shutterstock

With the death toll from the earthquakes in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria nearing 50,000 thus far, ANMF (Vic Branch) council has endorsed a $20,000 donation to support those affected.

The 6 February 2023 earthquakes in central Türkiye and northern and western Syria have taken an unimaginable toll. More than 260,000 homes have been destroyed and almost 50,000 lives lost – and counting.

In both countries, the catastrophe has been compounded by a brutal winter storm dumping snow and rain on the rubble and plummeting temperatures to below freezing, hampering rescue efforts. In Syria, the quake has brought further devastation amid ongoing war.

Many people in the worst-hit areas of Syria are internally displaced persons who were living in make-shift refugee camps uniquely ill-equipped to handle a powerful quake. Their temporary housing and poor infrastructure were already a risk for spreading disease, and with much of what shelter they had now gone, survivors face further disease, trauma and injury.

It is, quite literally, a health disaster as well as a natural disaster.

ANMF (Vic Branch) council has agreed to donate $20,000 on behalf of members to support the people of Türkiye and Syria. The money will be donated via a Victorian Trades Hall Council online fundraiser for the Red Crescent.

Part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Red Crescent works on the ground before, during and after disasters and health emergencies in Muslim-majority countries, including Türkiye and Syria.

Members are also encouraged to make their own donations and can do so via earthquake-appeal.raisely.com.

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