Following the devastating earthquake across the border of Turkey and Syria, we wanted to let the Arsenal family know how we are standing in solidarity with those affected by the disaster, and how we can all show support.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake – one of the strongest to hit the region in 100 years – could be felt in surrounding nations in Lebanon, Cyprus, Jordan and Iraq and has left major devastation and a horrific and increasing death toll in the thousands.
In response, we have reached out to our global charity partner, Save the Children, to explore how we can show our support.
Through The Arsenal Foundation, we have granted a donation to Save the Children’s appeal to further support children, families and local communities devasted by this tragic humanitarian disaster.
Supporters can also donate what they can, through the official DEC appeal, which includes Save the Children, here.
On the ground in Turkey and Syria
Save the Children have been working in the region for many years with well-established relationships with local organisations such as the Turkish Red Crescent and Support to Life in Turkey and Shafak in Syria.
We have been in close contact with Save the Children about the developments on the ground and the current situation is desperate. Substantial damage to roads, airports and communication lines, as well as continued aftershocks are adding an extra layer of complexity to the relief efforts.
Save the Children are already providing aid by:
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Supplying temporary shelter for staff and their families
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Distributing shelter kits to families whose houses have been significantly damaged by the earthquake and are now unsafe, providing items such as tarpaulin, rope, blankets and mats
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Offering winter kits, including essentials such as heaters, clothes and shoes to keep people warm as temperatures plummet
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Setting up safe spaces for women and children and other vulnerable people
In the coming days, Save the Children will also be offering psychological first aid to affected children and families, including front-line responders.
Supporting the local response
In addition to our donation to Save the Children, we are also exploring how we can work together with our long-standing partner HIS Church, a charity we previously worked with to deliver more than 500,000 meals during the covid-19 lockdown, to support the disaster response by the Turkish community in north London. We’ll share more information on this in the coming days.
Thank you for your support.
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