The devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria in early February 2023 have left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced As survivors work to rebuild their lives, donations of clothes and other necessities can provide vital support If you’re looking for ways to donate used clothes to Turkey, this guide covers reputable organizations accepting clothing contributions.
Overview of the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Disaster
On February 6, a massive 78 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey near the city of Gaziantep Hours later, a second 7.5 magnitude quake hit the region. The catastrophic seismic events leveled thousands of buildings, trapping many under rubble. Over 41,000 lives were lost just in Turkey.
The earthquakes also displaced millions across Turkey and Syria. Frigid winter temperatures compounded the misery as hundreds of thousands were forced into temporary shelters, tents, and container homes. A year later, over 760,000 displaced persons remain unable to return home.
Why Donate Clothes?
In the aftermath of natural disasters like earthquakes, donated clothes help meet basic needs of survivors who lost everything. Here’s how clothing donations can help Turkey’s earthquake victims:
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Replace essentials – New outfits give survivors clothes to wear after losing their belongings This restores dignity and normalcy.
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Keep warm – Warm clothing like coats, hats, gloves, and blankets provide protection from the harsh Turkish winter.
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Support rebuilding – Clothing reduces expenses so survivors can allocate funds to food, water, and rebuilding costs.
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Boost morale – New clothes lift spirits and give recipients a sense of hope during an extremely challenging time.
Where to Donate Used Clothes for Turkey
If you have gently used clothing to donate, here are reputable organizations collecting items for Turkey’s earthquake victims:
Local Drives
- Check for clothing drives at schools, churches, mosques, community centers, and local aid groups. Donate requested items.
National Organizations
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Salvation Army – Accepts clothing donations at local drop-off sites.
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Good360 – Partners with nonprofits; provides aid item distribution.
International Nonprofits
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Doctors Without Borders – Delivers medical aid and blankets.
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Save the Children – Accepts financial donations for emergency relief.
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Red Cross – Provides humanitarian aid; check for clothing drives.
What Types of Clothing to Donate
Focus on clothing that meets these criteria:
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Gently used – Items should be clean, gently worn, and no major stains/tears.
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Warm – Coats, sweaters, blankets, gloves, and hats for winter.
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Essentials – Undergarments, socks, everyday outfits for work/school.
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Multi-sized – A mix of adult XS-XL and children’s sizes.
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Culturally appropriate – Modest dresses, tunics, pants, and headscarves for women.
How to Prepare and Ship Donations
Follow these tips to properly prepare and ship clothing donations:
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Contact recipient organization for specific needs and packing/shipping instructions.
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Sort clothing by type and size. Packing similarly sized items together maximizes space.
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Clean clothes if needed and mend any damage. Stains or tears make clothes unwearable.
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Pack tightly in plastic bins or cardboard boxes lined with bags to protect from dirt and pests.
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Label containers by contents and size for easy unpacking and distribution on arrival.
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Obtain prepaid mailing labels if required or arrange discounted shipping through USPS or other carrier.
Additional Ways to Help Earthquake Victims
Beyond clothing donations, here are more ways to support Turkey after this catastrophe:
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Donate funds – Monetary gifts offer aid groups flexibility to meet urgent needs.
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Give essential supplies – Nonprofits need hygiene items, blankets, baby products, and medical supplies.
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Volunteer – Offer your time to organizations providing earthquake relief.
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Spread awareness – Share information on social media to spur more donations and support.
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Advocate – Push for more government humanitarian aid by contacting elected representatives.
The road to recovery for Turkey’s earthquake survivors will be long. But donations of clothing and other relief aid will help bring comfort, optimism, and a sense of normalcy back into victims’ lives.
7 Questions About the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria:
At 4:17 a.m. local time on Monday, February 6, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, according to the United States Geological Survey. It was also felt in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. Dozens of aftershocks, including a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Türkiye in the aftermath.
The earthquake’s epicentre was 26 km east of the city of Nurdagi in Turkeys Gaziantep province, at a depth of 17.9 km. The later Magnitude-7.5 event was around 4km south-east of Ekinözü in the Kahramanmaraş province. Syrias war-torn city of Aleppo is among those areas to have borne the brunt of a deadly earthquake.
The earthquake struck an area that is home to millions of refugees already battling desperate circumstances.
Two Massive Earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria last February Killed Over 56,000
- Over 761,000 people displaced by the 2023 Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria earthquakes have yet to return home.
- Save the Children was among the first NGOs to provide clothing, water and food to affected children and families.
- One year on, we’ve been able to help nearly a million people on the road to recovery.
Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Read more about our nonprofit ratings and how we use your donation so you can give with confidence that youre helping children in times of crisis.
A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on February 6
It was one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the region in 100 years
In northwest Syria, 4 million people were already in need of humanitarian aid
- In Turkey, our teams are working to prioritize child protection, mental health support, education, shelter and water.
- InSyria, were supporting families with mental health support, education, livelihoods, nutrition, health and water while strengthening resilience to future shocks.
- In 2024, we aim to reach 269,000 people in Turkey and 889,850 people in Syria.
- Your donation to the Childrens Emergency Fund enables us to respond to crises around the world, whether from conflict, climate change or natural disaster.
- Right now, children are missing out on the futures they deserve due to the effects of inequality and other issues such as the climate crisis, conflict and poverty. As a monthly donor, you can make a difference in their lives.
Advocate for children by joining our political advocacy arm — Save the Children Advocacy Networks — efforts to send a message to Congress. We must scale up essential lifesaving activities and provide Syrian children and families with the support to recover.
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FAQ
Can you donate clothes to Turkey?
Where can I donate for Turkey and Syria?
Where to send aid for Turkey?
How can we help earthquake victims in Turkey?
How do I donate items to the Turkish embassy?
Donating physical items: A number of readers have asked us how to donate physical items, such as blankets and clothing. At this time, the only way to do that is to ship the items to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. on your own. The Embassy will then ship those items overseas. We know of no local groups collecting items to ship.
Where can I donate to the Turkey-Syria earthquakes appeal?
You can donate to the Australian Red Cross Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes Appeal here . UNICEF: The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund provides humanitarian aid to children and adolescents — think providing vaccines and safe water and sanitation.
Where can I donate to help the earthquake victims?
Save The Children, the international youth humanitarian aid group, set up an emergency relief fund for the earthquake victims. You can donate here . Project HOPE, a U.S.-based international humanitarian aid nonprofit, said it deployed emergency response teams to Turkey and Syria and set up a disaster relief fund .
Are Turkish Red Crescent workers distributing food & medical aid?
The American Red Cross said Turkish Red Crescent workers and volunteers were distributing food and medical aid. Turkish Red Crescent asks for cash donations on Twitter: The White Helmets, also known as Syria Civil Defense, are a humanitarian aid organization that operates in rebel-controlled areas of Syria.