2023 Turkey Earthquake Recovery for Children

Dear Donor,

Your valuable contributions have a significant impact within the scope of the "2023 Turkey Earthquake Recovery for Children" project. In this project, our aim is to meet the basic needs of children living in the region affected by the earthquake.

Despite 10 months passing since the earthquake, a large portion of the population in Hatay continues to stay in temporary shelters. With the arrival of winter, the need for heating in containers has also emerged. Families unable to meet their basic needs also struggle to ensure their children's access to education. Children are being deprived of their fundamental right to education.

Thanks to the donations we have collected with your support so far, we have been able to deliver vital materials such as baby formula, diapers, and blankets, providing some relief to the children in the challenging conditions in the region. However, we are aware that coping with the stress and difficulties created by the earthquake poses a separate challenge, especially for children. Therefore, we have expanded our project further. With your donations, we have not only addressed the basic needs of children but also contributed to their psychological well-being. We have supported the mental health of children. In September, October, and November, we distributed stationery kits for children aged 6-12. These kits aim to contribute to the education of children. In the same period, we also provided support to children aged 3-6 with recreational kits containing toys and hygiene materials. We have not only met the basic needs of children but also organized activities that support their well-being. Some children who participated in fun game activities gave feedback such as "Can you always play with us? Even come to our house. I get bored at home, come to our house," and "We miss playing games and dancing; we always want to dance."

We couldn't have reached this stage without your contributions. We sincerely thank you for the support you have shown so far. With new donations you make within the project, we have the chance to provide more hope and support to children affected by the earthquake. Together, we can offer children a better future in these challenging times. Please continue to support us.

With gratitude,

Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/mavikalemdernegi/

Dear Donor,

It has been 6 months since the earthquakes that struck Turkey on 6 February, affecting more than 9 million people. In these six months, we worked in the disaster zone and identified basic needs. With your donations, we provided baby food and diapers, children's clothes, stationery and toy materials, and personal hygiene and cleaning supplies. We primarily aimed to reach disaster victims in non-camp areas and hard-to-reach areas.

In April, May and June, we organised mobile psychosocial support activities for women and children in non-camp areas.

With your support, our work in Hatay reached 24,000 people in 6 months.

There is still a lot of work to be done!

Six months after the earthquake, MaviKalem continues to work towards the return of life to its normal rhythms. It aims to support the empowerment of children affected by the disaster.

For children, the earthquake has meant a period of violent, destructive destruction of safe home spaces, loss in their family or environment, disruption of their usual routines, causing fear, anxiety and stress.

Healthy, properly equipped and safe children's spaces are very limited, especially outside of containers and tent cities. However, children need safe spaces and toys to play safely in order to move into the recovery phase. We have started working to establish playgrounds to support the need for spaces where they can play together and express their energy in positive ways such as play and movement.

We are grateful for your support so far, and your continued support is critical for us to continue on this path.

Sincerely

Links:

• Our new report on girls status in Hatay is published