Rotary continues to support Türkiye in rebuilding after the earthquake

Over $4 million in funding for water, education, agricultural supplies and equipment for affected communities

Written by Etelka Lehochki

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Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally said during a visit to the country that the relief efforts and funding provided by Rotary after the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria last year show that Rotarians are creating hope where it is needed.

“After meeting Rotarians in Hatay Province, Türkiye, I know they will do just that. [continue to] “We welcome anyone who volunteers to help rebuild their communities,” McInally said during a visit to the affected areas in April. Among his many stops, he toured a kindergarten and vocational school that Rotarians had resupplied and a mobile kitchen and bakery that they had set up. “I thank Rotarians for helping to create hope in the world for those so deeply affected by the disaster,” McInally added, referring to his presidential theme.

Since the February 2023 earthquake and aftershocks, which killed more than 55,000 people, Rotary has distributed more than $4 million to support affected communities. The relief efforts have been limited to Turkey, as Rotary has no clubs in Syria. Members have assembled container cities for housing, built water treatment plants, provided seedlings and cows to farmers, provided equipment to hospitals, donated computers to students, and opened a veterinary clinic.

2023-24 Rhode Island Institute President Gordon McInally and his partner Heather give gifts to children during a visit to Hatay Province, Turkey. The area suffered extensive damage in the 2023 earthquake. April 24, 2024.

©Rotary International

Immediately after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, Rotary established a disaster response fund, which has received more than $2.7 million in contributions. (The fund is now closed to donations.) Additional relief efforts have used global grants totaling nearly $1.4 million.

“As soon as the Rotarians saw what was happening, they came and helped,” said Sezgin Acioglu, a Rotary Club member in Iskenderun, Turkey. “It was very quick. It encouraged everyone to work hard. [else] for help.”

Helping meet immediate and long-term needs

Immediate aid included a search and rescue truck, hospital supplies, tents, sleeping bags and air conditioners.

Rotary circles in Turkey helped the government build three housing communities made from shipping containers. Governor candidate Lutfi Can Gircan of District 2430 says finding quality, affordable containers has been difficult, since many companies started making them right after the earthquake. Fortunately, a Rotary member in Adana, one of the major cities affected, was able to recommend a reputable company there, Gircan says.

“We were able to avoid buying containers at a huge price – something we always take care of as Rotarians,” he says.

Hussein Dogon, a farmer, with calves donated to his community by the 2420 and 2440 districts (Turkey) after the 2023 earthquake. Gaziantep, Turkey. April 27, 2024.

©Rotary International

Rotary members have also built water treatment plants for two of the container cities. “Our systems collect water in 400-ton tanks each and send it to the container cities with the help of pumps,” says Mehmet Altay, governor of District 2420. “The water that passes through our treatment facilities is of the same quality as bottled water and is good enough for drinking, making tea and cooking.”

Other projects included a mobile dental clinic, temporary classrooms, and school computers.

“Rotary is still able to make a big difference in the lives of earthquake victims,” says Altay. “Everyone who drinks water at the facility we set up thanks Rotary and prays for them. We make a difference in the lives of children when they do their homework on the computers Rotary gives them. In our mobile educational vehicle, equipped with a computer, students can do research on any topic they want.”

Farm supplies, equipment, and livestock were another important category of donations. Counties provided machinery that farmers could use to harvest potatoes and make silage (chopped grass or other forage that could be saved and later used as livestock feed). Counties also donated seeds, seedlings, young trees, and pregnant cows that would help rebuild herds quickly.

“We want life to go on. Otherwise people from that area will go to other parts of the country. They will not come back if there is no life there, no economic movement,” says Jirgan.

Altay Region also provided a pediatric echocardiography device to a hospital in the Dortyol district of Hatay, and replaced damaged operating room equipment at Adıyaman Education and Research Hospital.

“Surgeries on the spinal cord and brain, which could not be performed before, have started to be performed again,” Altay says.

Build a veterinary clinic to help lost pets

To help pets that were injured or abandoned after the earthquake, the 2420 District set up a veterinary clinic in Adiyaman province and provided equipment for treatment and surgery. The clinic staff sterilizes the animals, cares for their wounds and vaccinates them to help prevent diseases such as rabies, which can be transmitted to humans. Rotary members also donated a vehicle to transport the animals to the clinic.

“During our visits to the earthquake zone, we saw many dogs and cats wandering through the rubble, having lost their families who used to care for them,” says Altay. “Some of them were injured and needed urgent medical care. … This clinic will save [or] “Improving the health of thousands of animals.”

The veterinary clinic is named after Proteo, a rescue dog donated by Mexico who died while searching for earthquake survivors under the rubble.

“This will ensure that the name of Proteo and the assistance provided by the Mexican nation will be remembered forever,” Altay says.

Support Rotary disaster response initiatives.

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