World Jewish Relief launches Turkey emergency earthquake appeal

The Jewish community’s leading humanitarian agency has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to support those effected by a devastating earthquake today in Turkey.

This morning a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, a second 7.5 magnitude earthquake, and powerful aftershocks hit southeast of the country as well as neighbouring Syria. An estimated 12 million people have been affected, with thousands killed and many thousand more injured as homes and buildings completely collapsed. With search and rescue missions underway, these numbers will continue to rise.

World Jewish Relief is responding through a trusted local partner, helping to provide emergency shelter, blankets, heaters, clothes, food packages and first aid kits to the worst affected in Turkey and surrounding areas.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said: “The tragic earthquakes in Turkey on Monday morning will have an ongoing, devastating impact for Turkey and well beyond its borders. I encourage all who are able, to generously support World Jewish Relief’s Turkey Earthquake Appeal.”

Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Liberal Judaism said: “Liberal Judaism are always so proud to support World Jewish Relief. We know with confidence that they will ensure that support reaches the places that need it. Right now the people of Turkey need more than our prayers, they need practical and financial response from our community, a community that understands that our particularistic Judaism calls on us to see the universal and to help repair the world in whatever ways we can.”

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Masorti Judaism said: “The disaster which has overtaken so many people in Turkey is unimaginable. In Temple times the High Priest prayed on Yom Kippur that people should not suffer the horror of earthquakes. How can we not do all we can to help! This emergency appeal by World Jewish Relief enables us to show the most basic humanity and do what help we can.”

You can donate today at Turkey Earthquake Appeal