NRB Members Respond to Earthquake Devastation in Turkey and Syria

NRB | February 16, 2023 | Member News

In the aftermath of catastrophic earthquakes that shook Turkey and Syria earlier this month, the staggering death toll has risen, surpassing 40,000 at the time of writing. NRB members remain on the ground, leading relief efforts to aid survivors of the disaster and minister God’s love to those in crisis.

Cru

In collaboration with local ministry partners onsite, Unto Disaster Relief, a Cru ministry is providing humanitarian relief and support. Unto is meeting critical needs and forming relationships with earthquake victims to help rebuild their lives.

Click here to give to Unto Disaster Relief.

CBN/Operation Blessing

The Christian Broadcasting Network’s Operation Blessing deployed its International Disaster Relief team to Turkey, distributing emergency supplies which include portable solar lanterns where power is inaccessible. This volunteer-led relief team is multi-lingual, multi-national, and multi-generational.

Operation Blessing’s international director of disaster relief, Diefo Traverso, said, “We want to be in the center of the action where the people need it, where, not only the people that are suffering. Keep praying for us, keep praying for the victims, keep praying for our volunteers, for our teams we’re deploying right now.”

Click here to donate to Operation Blessing’s international disaster relief team and here to volunteer.  

Galcom International USA

Galcom International teamed up with other NRB members to provide earthquake victims with solar flashlights, power banks, and more.

Tom Blackstone, the Executive Director of Galcom International USA, shares this timely testimony of the power of partnership:

“When the devastating back-to-back earthquakes struck southeastern Turkey and Syria earlier this month, we contacted an NRB member working in Turkey to see what we could do to help besides praying. They said right away: ‘Please send solar flashlights that can also use to charge cell phones and small devices with!’

We reached out to our friends at MegaVoice first. They located 2,000 solar camp lights in China. A provider from Thailand located 800 flashlights, with the ability to charge, developed by Kulumi. Guidelines, MediAlliance and Sharing International, who are also NRB members, joined forces with us to help raise and send the funds necessary to ship these devices to Turkey for distribution by the radio network’s disaster response team in the affected area.

While anonymity is necessary to protect those involved, the important thing I want to share is that six separate ministry partners, worked together to make this complex international distribution happen. Seeing the Lord put this disaster response team together quickly and virtually seamlessly has been extremely rewarding to watch. He clearly gets credit for His Spirit’s work in the hearts of key decision makers, financial sponsors, and prayer partners here in North America and with the team in Turkey.

In 1999, when my wife and I did earthquake relief work in Turkey, many non-believing Turks were shown the love of Christ by earnest believers after their foundations were severely shaken by the Izmit and Duzce earthquakes. We think the same will be true in this most recent disaster.”

Click here to donate to this project. 

MegaVoice 

MegaVoice is raising funds to send solar-powered flashlights with the Message of Hope to Turkey and Syria, and a generous donor has offered to match up to 200 units. These solar-powered flashlight and players, loaded with music, hymns, Bible stories, and Scriptures in Turkish, will bring life-giving hope to those trying to rebuild their lives.

To learn more about this project and to donate, click here.
Trans World Radio

In mobilizing its global reach, Trans World Radio (TWR) is responding to the tragic natural disaster by continuing to provide Bible-based programming to support victims and onlookers who are struggling with emotional and spiritual loss and destruction. TWR’s Arabic ministry team is in constant contact with teammates located in Syria. TWR is also fundraising to support Turkish and Syrian media ministries on the ground and provide victims with food, blankets, tents, and other necessary items.

Click here to give to TWR’s campaign.

Salem Radio Network

In partnership with Food For The Poor, Salem Radio Network (SRN) launched a campaign with SRN radio personalities and partners in an effort to raise funds to provide assistance. SRN News and Townhall News, in addition, will be generating emergency relief.

Click here to donate to Food For The Poor in partnership with SRN.

Samaritan’s Purse

Samaritan’s Purse has deployed a 52-bed emergency field hospital near Antakya, Turkey. The team is urgently supplying essential items such as tarps, blankets, and solar lights in the heavily impacted areas. In addition to these efforts, Samaritan’s Purse has more than 100 Disaster Assistance Response Team specialists on the ground.

“This massive earthquake has devastated Turkey. Thousands of people were killed, and hundreds of thousands have been left homeless and are searching for their loved ones. It is cold there, and survivors are in shock—they need our help,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “We are responding to meet needs in Jesus’ Name. Please pray for all those who are suffering.”

Click here to give to Samaritan’s Purse international emergency relief fund.

Shema Media Group

Turkish Christian organization Shema Media Group is providing local updates in both English and Turkish, with Christian leaders and pastors reporting from affected areas. Shema’s broadcasting provides survivors with spiritual support.

Click here to donate to Shema Media Group’s initiatives.

As NRB members continue to aid and support critical humanitarian needs in Turkey and Syria, please join NRB in praying for those impacted, as well as seamless and effective operations for those providing relief.

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