Stamford-Based Americares Responds To Earthquakes In Turkey & Syria

Information via Americares

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford-based Americares said it is preparing to send medicine, relief supplies and emergency funding to restore health services for survivors of the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria early Monday, killing more than 4,000 people and injuring thousands more, according to The New York Times.

Hundreds are still believed to be trapped under the rubble and the death toll is expected to rise in both countries as strong aftershocks continue in the region, making rescue efforts even more difficult.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck around 4 a.m. local time in Turkey’s Gaziantep province is one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years and was felt as far as Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Israel, Americares said in a news release.

Additionally, Americares is deploying an emergency response team to Turkey and Syria. The team, which will be headed to southern Turkey, is expected to deploy within 24 hours.

"With health centers damaged or destroyed, there is an urgent need to treat survivors with injuries and serious health conditions," said Americares Director of International Emergency Response Cora Nally, in a news release. Nally is leading the response team.

"Our relief workers have extensive experience coordinating large-scale shipments of medicine and relief supplies, mobilizing emergency aid in crisis situations and restoring health services for disaster survivors, and we’ll be on the ground soon to help address the most pressing health needs of families affected by the crisis," Nally added.

Following the earthquakes, Americares relief workers immediately reached out to four longtime partner organizations working in Turkey and Syria to offer assistance. The health-focused relief and development organization is planning to send urgently needed medicines and relief supplies, including wound care products and first aid items, to supply health workers treating survivors.

Americares said it is also preparing to provide emergency funding to local health partners working in the region to help restore health services in the hardest hit communities. Among the most urgent requests right now are trauma kits and first aid supplies, Nally said.

Americares has a long history of responding to earthquakes all over the world, including the 2022 earthquake in Afghanistan, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the 2010 and 2021 earthquakes in Haiti and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Americares has been providing assistance to Syria for more than a decade, delivering medicine, medical supplies and relief items to partner organizations in northwest Syria assisting families affected by the long running civil war.

Americares said it responds to more than 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters.

Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies, helping to restore health services for survivors. Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Americares has provided more than $20 billion in aid to 164 countries, including the United States, the organization said.

Donations to Americares Turkey-Syria Earthquake Relief Fund will support its response to the crisis. To donate, go to americares.org/Turkey-SyriaRelief.