Donations from Wales to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal have reached £3.5 million, including a donation of £300,000 from the Welsh Government.
The appeal has raised £112 million UK-wide, including £5 million in match funding from the UK Government.
The funds are already providing urgent relief for people affected by the devastating earthquakes which have killed more than 50,000 people, injured more than 100,000 and displaced hundreds of thousands of families. According to the UN, 1.5 million people have been made homeless in the south of Turkey.
DEC charities have been helping people in both Turkey and Syria by providing emergency shelter, medical care, hot food and food parcels, blankets, bedding and other household items, clean water and safe spaces for children.
The appeal has been boosted by support from people and organisations across Wales. International financial services company Admiral Group, based in Cardiff, last week announced a donation of £250,000.
Cristina Nestares, Admiral Group UK Insurance CEO said: “We’re devastated that so many people in Turkey and Syria are suffering. Helping others to protect their future is our core purpose and we’ve partnered with the DEC to ensure that our donation will provide urgent care and support to the people who have been most impacted by the recent earthquakes.”
Melanie Simmonds from Save the Children Cymru said: “We are so grateful to the people of Wales for their support and to Admiral for their generous donation. This money will make a huge difference to the charities working on the ground in Turkey and Syria.
“We would also like to thank community groups and individuals in Wales that have organised fundraising events – including concerts, fashion shows, and collections at events such as sport matches and religious gatherings. They are all greatly appreciated and will make a real difference in Syria and Turkey.
“A £10 donation could provide blankets to keep two people warm, £25 could provide emergency food for a family for ten days and £50 could provide emergency shelter for two families. If you can, please give, as every pound helps.”
