Turkey & Syria Earthquake
“This is an emergency within an emergency.”
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At the time of writing, more than 11,000 people have died and many thousands are injured across Turkey and Syria, following yesterday's devastating earthquake that struck the heart of the world’s largest refugee population. There are warnings that the number of deaths could exceed 20,000.
Freezing temperatures and aftershocks are hampering rescue efforts and countless numbers of people are now homeless, adding to the millions already displaced due to the ongoing Syrian conflict.
This is critical. Time is of the essence to find remaining survivors and agencies urgently needing financial support. People are in desperate need of shelter, food and hygiene items.
The Looking Out Foundation will match all donations up to $100,000 over the next week and this will be distributed to AKUT Search and Rescue Association and The White Helmets.
AKUT is a Turkish Search & Rescue organization that specializes in disaster relief. They have 28 teams and 646 volunteers currently working day and night in the rescue effort.
The White Helmets (Syria Civil Defence) are a group of around 3000 volunteers on the ground in north west Syria leading the search and rescue operation.
Please donate today - remember, we will double all donations received up to $100,000.
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Looking Out for Children in Conflict
THE CAMPAIGN
Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation has partnered with Children in Conflict to launch the Looking Out for Children in Conflict Campaign. All funds raised will go towards providing protection, shelter and psychological first aid to children, parents and caretakers who are fleeing the war in Ukraine.
THE CRISIS
The war in Ukraine continues to result in mass civilian casualties. Children have been separated from their fathers, brothers and other male relatives as well as their friends and homes. Not only this, they have also come up close and personal with armed violence: nerve-shattering air raid sirens, gunshots, explosions and even the death of loved ones.
Many children fled with only a few personal belongings - denied the comfort that a favorite toy or blanket can bring. The psychological effects of these terrible experiences take time to take hold - frequently manifesting themselves in the days after children have finally made it to safety.
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
Every dollar from the Looking Out for Children in Conflict Campaign will directly support Children in Conflict’s work in the following ways:
Children in Conflict’s partner organizations War Child UK and War Child Holland are on the ground at the border of Ukraine in Moldova, which has received more refugees per capita than any other country to date. As a result of the crisis, 50,000 children are in urgent need of support. Refugees – the vast majority of whom are women and children – continue to cross the border. They are seeking shelter in private homes and hastily transformed schools, student dorms and holiday camps across Moldova.
Children in Conflict is supporting the Moldovan organization Child, Family and Community (CCF) in setting up safe spaces and training staff in 20 reception centers and local shelters. Here mothers can feed their babies and children and youth can play and unwind. As additional response is rolled out, there will be an added emphasis on the protection of women and children - in particular teenage girls who are at increased risk of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse.
Children in Conflict is also training mobile teams within the National Center for Prevention of Child Abuse (CNPAC) to provide psychological first aid to children and mothers in the same shelters. The teams consist of psychologists, social workers and emergency support staff. Together, they are working around the clock to engage children in games and activities - specially designed to assess their state of mind and help them let go of painful emotions. During these sessions, these individuals also provide practical information and support to parents - including the referral of children to more specialized services where needed.
THE FUNDRASING GOAL
Once we have reached our fundraising goal of $100,000 towards our emergency response Ukraine, any additional funds raised from the Looking Out for Children in Conflict Campaign will directly benefit children impacted by the trauma of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq and the Central African Republic.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
JOIN OUR LOOKING OUT VOLUNTEER COALITION
Brandi Carlile is taking the Looking Out for Children in Conflict Campaign on the road this summer on her “Beyond These Silent Days Tour” and the Looking Out Foundation are recruiting volunteers from across the country to join the Looking Out Relief Coalition and help galvanize her audience into action.
