As 2022 was drawing to an end, many believed that the string of the increasingly stressful years—marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering effects, never-ending wars, wildfires, and climate-related disasters—was finally behind us. Yet 2023 turned out to be a year of trials not only for Türkiye but for all peoples of the world….
IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has, since its founding more than a quarter century ago, played a central role in humanitarian action around the world. With our humble beginnings in charitable work tracing back to Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have since succeeded in reaching millions of people in 123 nations, including, of course, our home country…
According to the INFORM Risk Index that assesses and ranks the risks of humanitarian crises and disasters, Türkiye falls into the high-risk category with a score of 5, placing it 45th out of 191 countries. While Türkiye is renowned for her many natural and cultural jewels, she faces significant threats from disasters that could potentially…
The Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) General Directorate of Blood Services focuses on developing a high-quality system of extracting, storing, and distributing safe blood. Working in partnership with Türkiye’s Ministry of Health, TRC’s Blood Services sets annual targets and provides uninterrupted, around-the-clock blood collection services and stem cell donor recruitment. Shifts in donor behavior following the…
We welcome each new year with hopeful aspirations, wishing for a world in less need of humanitarian aid. While the start of 2023 was no exception, that hope did not translate into reality. On the contrary, the year was marked by numerous crises around the world, including the Türkiye–Syria earthquakes—known domestically as the Disaster of…
The devastating Türkiye–Syria earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş on 6 February 2023 left an indelible mark on the nation. This catastrophic event, known in Türkiye as the Disaster of the Century, prompted an outpouring of domestic and international support. The Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) was among the first to respond, deploying every resource at its disposal…
The devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaraş on 6 February 2023 served as a powerful reminder of the profound impact natural disasters can have on regional development. These events highlighted the critical need for strong, sustainable socioeconomic and agricultural systems, along with a focus on building psychological resilience within communities to help…
An ominous year indeed, 2023 was etched in our memories as a year of profound sorrow, unforgettable experiences, and invaluable lessons. Despite having entered the year with high hopes and lofty aspirations, the Türkiye–Syria earthquakes of 6 February shook the entire nation to the core. Since love for the homeland is intrinsically tied to helping…
Our focus in 2023 revolved around the Türkiye–Syria earthquakes and the massive response that would follow. Working side by side with academics, universities, think tanks, UN agencies, and international humanitarian organizations, we stove diligently to assess the damage wrought on that fateful day, identify the needs of those affected by the disaster, and support the…
On 6 February 2023, as preparations for the Republic’s centennial anniversary were in the top gear across Türkiye’s vast geographical landscape, two successive earthquakes plunged the country into another direction, another air – an atmosphere where preparations for a landmark centenary celebration was forced to take a back seat in the social, cultural, and or…
