How Do I Donate to Turkey and Syria?

February 6, 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes rocked Turkey and Syria, destroying thousands of buildings and killing over 40,000 people as of February 14. More disturbing is that Turkish rescuers are saying that they still hear voices under the rubble. When a disaster like this strikes, those of us with a drive to help and a little cash to donate turn to our wallets as a way to provide relief to those suffering. But with shady organizations aplenty, it can be hard to know where to send that money so it does the most good.

Services like CharityWatch and Charity Navigator allow a user to check the legitimacy of an organization before they donate. In this instance, CharityWatch and Charity Navigator have each compiled lists of well-rated charities that are providing relief to those affected by these quakes. These relief organizations rely on donations to continue their work. Below is a list of organizations poised to do the most good for Syrians and Turks affected by the earthquakes.

Global Giving

Global Giving is an organization with similarities to CharityWatch and Charity Navigator in that nonprofits from around the world can apply to be vetted by them and create crowdfunds on their website which allow users to donate easily through the third party. While Global Giving does not have a specific list designated for the earthquakes like CharityWatch and Charity Navigator do, using the filters on the Global Giving website to find vetted charities working for disaster relief in these areas does compile most of the fundraising efforts going toward this particular disaster. In addition, Global Giving has its own fund for the affected communities. Global Giving was rated at 98% by Charity Navigator

All Hands and Hearts

Active since 2005, All Hands and Hearts was given a 98% rating by Charity Navigator. All Hands and Hearts claims that $0.95 of every dollar donated goes directly to disaster relief. While CharityWatch says the number is closer to $0.93, All Hands and Hearts made their list of the best organizations to donate to for Turkey and Syria right now. Their focus is on rebuilding communities affected by natural disasters through safe demolition and rebuilding disaster-resistant homes.

Direct Relief

Direct Relief is one of the highest rated charities between Charity Navigator and CharityWatch. The former gives it a 100% rating, and the latter reveals that 93% of donations go to fund its programs, which focus on emergency preparedness, disaster response, and the prevention and treatment of disease.

ShelterBox

While few of us would like to live in a tent, when homes are destroyed, this may be the only option for shelter while rebuilding. ShelterBox provides emergency shelter in the form of family-size tents, as well as cooking sets, solar lights and activity sets for children. Charity Navigator gave ShelterBox a 93% rating.

Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders is a global organization that “delivers emergency medical aid to people in crisis.” Disasters like these can not only cause injury directly, but disrupt the infrastructure that prevents the spread of disease and make access to life-saving medicine more difficult, if not impossible. A 33-year-old organization, Doctors Without Borders has a 91% rating on Charity Navigator. Eighty-five percent of its donations go to fund its lifesaving work.