Red Cross appeals for donations to help earthquake victims
The Bermuda Red Cross has launched a fundraising campaign to help the victims of a series of devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey yesterday, two weeks after two powerful earthquakes hit southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6.
A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Red Cross said that the initial earthquakes are estimated to have killed more than 41,000 people, with another 70,000 injured.
“Thousands of people’s homes have been destroyed, while hospitals, roads and bridges have been badly damaged,” the spokeswoman said. “The earthquakes’ impacts were so large that tremors were reported as far away as Cyprus, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan.
“Emergency responders from the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent are on the ground providing urgent humanitarian relief and supporting rescue efforts.”
Those who wish to donate can made a direct deposit to Bank of NT Butterfield account number 20 006 060 663859 200 or visit the Bermuda Red Cross website to make a debit or credit card donation.
Donors can also call the Bermuda Red Cross Monday through Friday between 8.30am and 4pm on 236-8253 or visit its office at 9 Berry Hill Road in Paget.
“More than ten regions across the countries have mobilised teams supporting the search and rescue, and providing basic relief items, including 17,000 blankets and 1,000 tents. Five mobile kitchens and 71 catering trucks have been deployed to provide food for people.”
The spokeswoman said that the timing of the earthquakes has sparked grave concerns as the region is also dealing with cold winter conditions.
“Turkish Red Crescent is delivering 50,000 blankets, 10,000 electric heaters, 25,000 sleeping bags and 25,000 beds to the temporary shelters and schools and education facilities,” she added.
“The Syrian Arab Red Crescent deployed over 5,000 staff and volunteers and 23 Red Crescent ambulances to help with search-and-rescue efforts, providing first aid or transporting the injured to medical facilities.
“The Red Crescent in both countries is providing restoring family links and psychosocial support services that are established in community shelters and relief distributions.”
The spokeswoman said that funds are needed now to help to continue the relief work in the region, supporting those who have lost everything.
“Donations will also help ongoing rescue efforts and immediate relief as well as longer-term aid for those affected,” she said.
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