{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","contentId":"00000186-2bbb-dbd3-a39f-6bbb38ee0001","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/community/how-amazon-is-helping-communities-impacted-by-the-earthquake-in-turkey","headline":"How Amazon is helping communities impacted by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria","description":"Amazon has activated its disaster relief services to help organisations responding to the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.","datePublished":"2023-02-07T12:19:14Z","dateModified":"2023-02-28T12:13:32.574Z","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Amazon staff"}],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/02474fe/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1689x1126+156+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fc9%2F15%2Fbeedcb1a451488677f6337553363%2Fturkey-relief-hero.jpg","width":"300","height":"200"},"articleBody":"![Amazon employees load donations into a truck via a forklift.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/02474fe/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1689x1126+156+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fc9%2F15%2Fbeedcb1a451488677f6337553363%2Fturkey-relief-hero.jpg)\n\n# How Amazon is helping communities impacted by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria\n\n*Amazon has activated its disaster relief services to help organisations responding to the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.*\n\n*27 February*\n**Amazon Air sends planes to deliver relief supplies to Türkiye and Syria**\n\nTwo Amazon Air cargo planes loaded with relief supplies flew to Istanbul from the U.S. and Germany over the weekend to deliver aid to earthquake response in Türkiye and Syria.\n\nThe planes delivered tents, sleeping bags, blankets, heaters, and other much-needed supplies. Amazon teams across Europe and the U.S. packed and loaded hundreds of pallets with supplies, totaling more than 100,000 pounds of items. Relying on teams and facilities in both regions allows Amazon to more efficiently move goods thanks to a wider available inventory.\n\nThe Amazon-donated products will support the ongoing humanitarian response in the country through partner organisations like the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), ensuring that the supplies will be delivered to families who have lost their homes in the affected areas, in close coordination with the Government of Türkiye, and through implementing partners in Northwest Syria.\n\n![Prime Air plane getting loaded for disaster relief.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/eff8c3d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F21%2F0c%2F77f8a13f4b03b3b80b5d6e1568ba%2Fnew-aid-images-inline-5.jpg)\n\n![Prime Air plane getting loaded for disaster relief.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/eff8c3d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F21%2F0c%2F77f8a13f4b03b3b80b5d6e1568ba%2Fnew-aid-images-inline-5.jpg)\n\n![Prime Air plane getting loaded for disaster relief.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/ad9329f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Ff8%2F17%2F82e589e74d97be28c9fa1e3adbc4%2Fnew-aid-images-inline-2.jpg)\n\n![Prime Air plane getting loaded for disaster relief.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/6000f87/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fe4%2Fe7%2F7f3756e54164971039f53f9faa5e%2Fnew-aid-images-inline-3.jpg)\n\n![Prime Air plane getting loaded for disaster relief.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/b4ff3b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F0b%2F00%2F85200660483e8b08aa36a678c66a%2Fnew-aid-images-inline.jpg)\n\n![Prime Air plane getting loaded for disaster relief.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/b4ff3b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F0b%2F00%2F85200660483e8b08aa36a678c66a%2Fnew-aid-images-inline.jpg)\n\n![Prime Air plane getting loaded for disaster relief.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/0bea7ee/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fd7%2Fc7%2F2f57529b46ecb4b3a336f5898f07%2Fnew-aid-images-inline-4.jpg)\n\nIOM’s response in the two countries builds on existing expertise in disaster relief, with more than 1,000 staff in Türkiye, 600 of whom are based in the affected areas in southeast Türkiye; and large-scale, cross-border operations in Northwest Syria run from Gaziantep. More than 1 million people have been reached with immediate relief assistance and 422 trucks worth of aid have been dispatched in the two countries, with support from national partners in Türkiye and through implementing partners in Northwest Syria.\n\nThe work is a continuation of Amazon’s efforts in the region. Just days after the devastating earthquake, Amazon sent tens of thousands of relief items to the impacted areas and established a Disaster Relief Hub near Istanbul within four days.\n\nAmazon also made an initial commitment of $600,000 in total cash donations to non-governmental organisations providing critical support. To help customers easily donate to organisations providing help on the ground, the company activated donation campaigns on 16 Amazon stores around the world.\n\nAccording to officials, more than 48,000 people lost their lives in the earthquake and survivors are struggling with cold weather.\n\n**Amazon Web Services provides technical support following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria**\n\nTech professionals also came together using a chat room to help launch another mapping effort supported by AWS, [Afetharita.com](https://afetharita.com/en), which translates to “disaster map.” The app uses artificial intelligence to create a map showing requests for help posted through social media.\n\nAmazon Web Services (AWS) is providing cloud credits and technical support to local organisations that are helping with relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.\n\nAWS rallied to help the AKUT Search and Rescue Association scale their app [Güvendeyim](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=genel.akut.guvendeyim&hl=en_US&gl=US) (which translates to “I am safe” in English) within days of the earthquake to help local residents notify loved ones that they were safe. The app now has over 1 million downloads.\n\nTurkish tech firm Başarsoft also received cloud computing credits through AWS Promotional Credit to create the [Earthquake Assistance Needs Mapping Portal](https://deprem.basarsoft.com.tr/V2).\n\nThe portal uses location-based social media posts to help direct search efforts to critical areas, such as collapsed buildings and rubble. The app also helps locate people in need of assistance and allows anyone to submit aid requests.\n\n*14 February*\n**Supporting humanitarian efforts through the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal**\n\nOur thoughts are with those impacted by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. To help, Amazon is supporting the British Red Cross, who is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), with their appeal to support with search and rescue, providing essential aid and supporting the wounded across the region. Every pound will help reach somebody in need.\n\nAmazon customers who wish to support the people of Türkiye and Syria can do so by donating cash on our [Türkiye and Syria donations page](https://www.amazon.co.uk/b?node=27973957031).\n\n*10 February*\n**Amazon establishes Türkiye Disaster Relief Hub to expedite relief**\n\nAmazon has created the Türkiye Disaster Relief Hub near Istanbul to quickly provide relief items to areas impacted by the recent earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.\n\nWorking with one of Amazon’s local logistics partners, the company has so far converted 2,000 square metres (nearly 21,530 square feet) of warehouse space into a facility that will help move critical supplies to front-line organisations. This facility—set up just four days after the devasting earthquake—will help Amazon expedite the delivery of essential relief items. The company and Amazon customers have donated nearly 100,000 relief items so far, and donations continue to come in.\n\nTeams working at the Türkiye Disaster Relief Hub will handle those donations and other critical supplies, including heaters, blankets, shelter materials, and clothing, in close coordination with local authorities and nonprofits on the ground. The facility was established near Istanbul to improve the arrangement and shipment of relief supplies and quickly help people in impacted areas.\n\nThe first four truckloads of Amazon’s donated relief items departed Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Istanbul earlier this week to Hatay and Malatya provinces. The first truckload carrying customer donations departed Thursday to Kahramanmaraş Province.\n\n*9 February*\n**Amazon helps customers in more countries donate to help earthquake victims**\n\nAmazon is helping customers contribute directly to organisations supporting earthquake relief in Türkiye and Syria. Customers in [Germany](https://www.amazon.de/b?node=2940741031), [France](https://www.amazon.fr/b?node=66429754031), [Italy](https://www.amazon.it/b?node=66444082031), [Spain](https://www.amazon.es/b?node=66444081031), [the Netherlands](https://www.amazon.nl/b/?_encoding=UTF8&node=27978804031&pf_rd_p=334cd51c-dc6e-4329-bfd5-8b4b0b11ab44&pd_rd_wg=HDCPa&pf_rd_r=B7FXMS48K854QXWTZWY6&content-id=amzn1.sym.334cd51c-dc6e-4329-bfd5-8b4b0b11ab44&pd_rd_w=m378W&painterId=top-banner-text-link&pd_rd_r=c72541fb-35bd-4d60-b2f2-731b08e3ce2f&ref_=pd_gw_unk), and the [United Arab Emirates](https://www.amazon.ae/) can now visit their local sites and donate to organisations like the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Amazon customers in Türkiye can visit the [Amazon Türkiye country page](https://www.amazon.com.tr/) to stay up to date on ways to donate and contribute.\n\nAmazon is also providing technology support to organisations responding to the tragedy. The Amazon Web Services Disaster Preparedness and Response team is providing trained technical volunteers and technical solutions to Help.NGO, a United Nations standby partner assisting in the region. So far, Amazon has also provided cash grants to nonprofits on the ground and is using its logistic infrastructure to send relief items to impacted areas.\n\nOfficials say the death toll has climbed above 20,000, and cold weather now covers Türkiye and Syria. Amazon has already shipped donated blankets, tents, heaters, food, diapers, baby food, medicine, and other emergency items, and Amazon’s Disaster Relief team continues to field requests for winter survival equipment, clothing, hygiene products, and other items.\n\n*8 February* \n**Amazon provides cash donations to non-governmental** **organisations helping with relief efforts in Türkiye and Syria**\n\nAmazon has announced an initial commitment of $500,000 in total cash donations to non-governmental organisations providing critical support in areas affected by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.\n\nThe organisations include Red Crescent, AKUT (Search and Rescue Association), the AHBAP foundation, World Food Program, Save the Children, and UNICEF. Amazon’s commitment is in addition to the product donations and logistics support that the company is already providing in the region. The first two truckloads of Amazon’s donated relief items departed the company’s fulfilment centre in Istanbul on Tuesday 7 February for Hatay Province. Additional trucks are scheduled to depart in the next few days to Hatay and Malatya provinces. Amazon stands with communities in the regions affected by the devastating earthquake. Amazon teams in Türkiye are closely working with local authorities and nonprofits on the ground to provide relief.\n\n*7 February* \n**First shipment of Amazon relief items leaves Istanbul for areas affected by earthquake**\n\nA day after the devastating earthquake in Türkiye, the first truckload of Amazon’s donated relief items departed the company’s fulfilment centre in Istanbul.\n\nThe supplies are heading to Hatay Province and include heaters, blankets, and other goods to aid first responders and help victims stay warm amid frigid weather. Rescue operations are ongoing following the Monday morning earthquake, which officials say killed over 7,700 people.\n\n![A package of donations is labeled \"Humanitarian Goods\" and is ready to be loaded into a truck.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/3187d59/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F82%2F35%2F4bb9ca994489bc63a72ee2880af6%2Fturkey-aid.jpg)\n\nAmazon customers can help by donating through a new donations page on Amazon’s Türkiye store. Within three hours of the page going live on Tuesday, customers had donated more than 5,000 items to help earthquake victims.\n\nAs of Tuesday morning, all of Amazon’s nearly 2,000 workers in Türkiye were safe and accounted for. We continue to be in contact with organisations on the ground and the Turkish government to learn more about what’s needed in areas impacted by the earthquake, and we will work with partners to deliver relief items and logistical support.\n\n![Amazon employees load up donation items on to a truck.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/503987e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F71%2F1e%2F1820e1214b07b04c43a22065a2b6%2Fturkey-aid-3.jpg)\n\n*6 February*\n\nJust after 4 a.m. local time on Monday 6 February, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and the surrounding region, causing widespread devastation. Local authorities have confirmed at least 2,600 deaths and expect the figure to increase as search and rescue efforts continue.\n\nTo assist impacted communities, Amazon has activated its disaster relief capabilities and is responding to help meet the immediate needs of the Red Crescent and other relief organisations. We are preparing to ship donated relief items from our fulfilment centre in Istanbul to affected areas. Our donations will include items such as blankets, tents, heaters, food, diapers, baby food, medicine, and other emergency items as victims face not only the damage from the earthquake but frigid winter weather.\n\nWe expect the first truckloads to depart on Wednesday.\n\n“This immediate delivery is just the beginning of Amazon’s response,” said Abe Diaz, head of Amazon’s Disaster Relief programme. “Over the coming days, we’ll work with local organisations and disaster-relief groups to identify on-the-ground needs and use Amazon’s logistics and delivery network to meet them.”\n\nAmazon has nearly 2,000 workers in Turkey and no facilities in the impacted areas. Our local leaders spent Monday ensuring that staff and their families were safe and accounted for. We are committed to continue leveraging our infrastructure, inventory, and teams to provide the relief that’s needed.\n\n**Read more about [Disaster Relief by Amazon](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/impact/community/disaster-relief-and-response).**","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"About Amazon","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com","sameAs":["https://x.com/amazonnews","https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon","https://www.instagram.com/amazonnews"],"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/bd/8f/88e7b0314cc2bd05b9de3155a0fe/amazon-news.svg"},"parentOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amazon","url":"https://www.amazon.com","sameAs":["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3884","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company)","https://x.com/Amazon"]}}}