The UN’s World Food Programme, billed as the largest humanitarian organisation in the world, was on the ground in Türkiye and Syria within 24 hours of the disaster to provide food for people affected by the earthquake. By February 14, the organisation reported that they had reached 300,000 people urgently needing food assistance, “with plans to scale up sharply and reach 900,000—if funding comes through.”

HOW TO DONATE

Mandated to bring emergency food relief to regions hit by all kinds of large-scale crises, WFP’s operations are largely funded by government donations, but private donors and corporations are also a major source of funds. Donations are taken through their website, where donors can decide whether to give a one-time amount or pledge a monthly contribution.

🚨 An update on @WFP's earthquake response in #Turkiye and #Syria. pic.twitter.com/r3URlYceLJ

— David Beasley (@WFPChief) February 8, 2023

Plan International is an independent humanitarian organisation that works on a wide range of programs, with a focus on children’s rights and equality for girls. The organisation has launched an appeal for Syria, as they work with local partners to “provide immediate lifesaving needs for children, especially girls, and their families”. That means providing food and water, shelter and blankets, along with other specific needs of women and girls.

HOW TO DONATE

Plan International accepts donations through offices around the world. In Asia, the organisation has an office in Hong Kong, which can take contributions over a number of channels: online, or through bank transfer, crossed check, or PayMe. Hong Kongers can also donate via cash, through any Circle K or VanGO branches.

This US-based organisation has a 100 per cent rating on Charity Navigator, which assesses and rates aid groups based on their impact and results. CDP also promises to support affected communities long after the initial disaster—though of course they also seek to address immediate needs.

HOW TO DONATE

CDP takes online contributions through a number of channels, including on their website and through a PayPal Giving Fund. The disaster relief organisation also accepts cryptocurrency through Endaoment, and invites companies to help by putting up fundraising pages.

The UN High Commission for Refugees saves the lives and protects the rights of “all who are forced to flee”, whether it be due to natural disasters, war or political unrest, climate change, or other reasons.

Within three days of the earthquake, the UNCHR reported that it was working with local authorities to assess the situation in Türkiye and is coordinating with them to provide thousands of core relief items such as blankets, mattresses, kitchen sets, food packs, and warm clothing. The agency is also working to provide tents to shelter persons displaced by the earthquake in several provinces.

HOW TO DONATE

Donations—either one-time or recurring monthly—made through the UNHCR website makes their critical work possible.

“This is personal”.@YusraMardini's home country of Syria has been devastated by the same earthquakes that hit Türkiye.

Help us provide basic supplies: https://t.co/IsY3EBBZAI pic.twitter.com/tYAgKPMVsD

— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) February 14, 2023

Working in more than 40 countries, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people survive and rebuild after humanitarian crises. Soon after the earthquake, IRC provided financial support to partner organisations working in the affected countries. Apart from cash, its response included providing dignity kits for women, hygiene supplies and other essential items. The organisation is also launching two mobile health teams to provide treatment to survivors. 

HOW TO DONATE

One-time or monthly donations can be done through the IRC website, with US$60 providing an emergency kit for one family and US$500 equipping one mobile clinic. A bonus: monthly donations will be matched by generous donors until March 31, 2023.

Hong Kong: Black Sheep’s Feast for a Cause

Diners will remember that the previous Feast for a Cause in September 2022 raised over half a million HKD to support the relief efforts responding to the flooding in Pakistan. This time, chefs Teya Mihael (from Maison Libanaise) and Palash Mitra (from New Punjab Club and Rajasthan Rifles) are opening the doors of the Black Sheep Team Canteen (22 Staunton Street, 1F, SoHo) to the public—for the first time, as it is usually reserved for Black Sheep team members—for a fundraising dinner on Monday, February 20. For a suggested donation of HK$500 per person, guests can enjoy a meal prepared by two talented chefs and take comfort in the knowledge that all proceeds will go towards earthquake emergency response.

Singapore: Singapore Red Cross and DBS

Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has launched a campaign to raise S$1 million for its humanitarian response efforts, a tenfold rise from its earlier pledge to raise S$50,000 each for the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent. In the first three days of the campaign, however, donors had already given over half a million dollars, prompting SRC to raise the targets for the campaign, which will run until the end of March. DBS has facilitated the fundraising efforts by allowing clients to donate to the campaign directly through their app—there is a link to the fundraiser on the main screen, so there's no missing it.

Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF)

The Singapore-based Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation announced via Instagram that it was launching an online fundraising campaign for earthquake response—and was met generously by donors who gave a total of S$1 million in less than a week. The Singaporean charity works with the Haryat Yardim, a Turkish humanitarian organisation that aims to address some of the most pressing needs of earthquake survivors in Türkiye and Syria. The campaign began on February 10 and runs till February 24.