INARA’s entire operation and staff in Türkiye have been impacted. The earthquake zone is also where all our beneficiaries live. We have activated our Rapid Response Program, looking at where we are able to provide support not only to our beneficiaries’ families who are among the most vulnerable given that they already have traumatic medical injuries and mental health problems, but also to all those who have been impacted by this devastating event. INARA and Savastan Etkilenen Çocuklara Yardim Dernegi has shifted all resources and capacities to address the recent disaster in Türkiye and Syria.

We are also providing, in partnership with trusted organizations on the ground, assistance to Northern Syria where there are no international rescue teams and very little international aid. People are in dire need of diesel to run heavy machinery for rescue, not to mention the extreme need for shelter, food, medicine, and other non-food items.

Mental health is often neglected in times of crisis. The trauma resulting from such a devastating event, especially for families that have already been traumatized, is deep and can be long-lasting if no intervention is provided. We are starting to develop our long-term response focusing on mental health interventions as well as medical ones where needed. We will try to set up a safe space for children so they can recover from the current traumatic events they’ve been through.