Turkey-Syria earthquake: Safe methods of giving support
Following the news of the devastating earthquakes which have impacted thousands of people in Turkey and Syria, many Scots have been moved to support international aid efforts.
Whether you are giving your time or your money, it’s important to give safely and support legitimate charities who can help those impacted by the earthquakes.
While most fundraising is genuine, some fraudsters can take advantage of public generosity at times of increased giving.
The quickest, most effective way you can help people in Turkey and Syria is to contribute your time, money or goods to a registered charity in the UK.
By doing so, you can be assured your donations will be regulated and accounted for in line with charity law and, importantly, will go towards supporting the people who have been affected by the earthquakes.
Donate to established aid charities
It’s easier and quicker to donate to established charities rather than set up your own; there are a number of charities with a presence in the region and a detailed understanding of the situation.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella body that brings together 15 UK aid charities in times of crisis. You may wish to donate to their Turkey-Syria appeal to help raise funds quickly and efficiently.
The logistical costs and expertise required to supply aid to disaster zones are considerable and are best undertaken by existing organisations that have experience of operating in disaster zones or have existing operations in Turkey or Syria.
Check out charities carefully
When donating goods or money, check out charities carefully to satisfy yourself that your donations are going to reach the people that need them. It’s a good idea to check that any charity you choose to support is a legitimate charity registered in the UK.
You can check if a body is registered as a charity in Scotland through the Scottish Charity Register, and in England and Wales with the Charity Commission. A registered charity will display a registration number.
If you are seeking further assurance about how your donations will be used or what will be required of you if you want to volunteer, you should contact the charity directly.
You should not travel to the affected area
There are serious risks if you travel to the area and you may compromise the current relief efforts.
More hands-on activities may be appealing. However, experienced charities will not ask you to go out to Turkey or Syria to provide humanitarian aid. They have professional workers with experience of providing humanitarian aid in high risk environments and have ongoing relief operations in the area.
Often, it is more practical and sustainable to give a monetary donation to an established charity already working in the region, rather than donating goods directly to the area or volunteering your time on the ground.