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The Deadliest Earthquake in Two Decades On February 6, two powerful earthquakes erupted across Türkiye and Syria. One of the deadliest earthquakes in over 20 years, the initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake was centered near Gaziantep, a city in south central Türkiye home to millions of Syrian refugees. The second 7.5 magnitude earthquake was felt nearly nine hours later, and almost 2,000 aftershocks have been reported. As of now, over 33,000 people have died, nearly 80,000 more have been injured, and 6,000 buildings have been destroyed – and numbers are only expected to rise. About 80,000 rescue personnel have been deployed, working in near-freezing temperatures searching for survivors among the rubble. Islamic Relief is working with local partners across Türkiye and Syria to distribute emergency relief. In Türkiye, families are receiving cash assistance to help pay for vital aid including food, water, and medicine. In Syria, families are being provided with their most immediate needs. And in coming months, we plan to focus on long-term development aid. Join us and help support your brothers and sisters across Türkiye and Syria in their time of need. Focus on Supporting Survivors Islamic Relief’s global family and partnerships—including local staff in more than three dozen countries—maximize IRUSA’s ability to respond to urgent situations with speed and efficiency. We also maintain the highest standards of best practices, dignity, and cultural sensitivity, and we make sure that our response aligns with survivors’ needs immediately, for the longer-term, or both! IRUSA’s emergency aid efforts can include distribution of items such as food, water, financial aid, and more. Construction of temporary shelters and providing vital medical aid are often priorities too. And when applicable, we work with community groups on the ground to assess what we can do to help with longer-term recovery, rebuilding, and revitalization efforts. In the United States specifically, IRUSA’s Disaster Response Team (DRT) serve as first responders for emergencies. From natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires to tragedies like the Pulse and Parkland shootings, the DRT team continues to be one of the first humanitarian teams nationwide to lend a helping hand to people in their most trying hours. We Need YOUR Help Thanks to you, we’ve been able to accomplish so much. But there’s still so much more to do. By continuing to support our efforts in Türkiye, you can help make a difference in the lives of those in desperate need. $200 can provide essential aid to a family $600 can provide essential aid to three families $1,000 can provide essential aid to five families Islamic Relief’s Dedication to Turkiye ​​Islamic Relief has been working in Türkiye since the early 2000s, providing both emergency and long-term aid to locals as well as refugee populations living there. To learn more, visit irusa.org/turkiye.