On Monday, February 6, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck eastern Turkey and northern Syria. The earthquake, the first major quake to hit the region in nearly 200 years, killed more than 17,000 people in Turkey and 3,000 in Syria. In addition, nearly 314,000 people were displaced by the quake, and nearly 7,000 buildings were destroyed, including homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. To make matters worse, freezing temperatures in the region have complicated rescue efforts and made it difficult for more than 68,000 injured people to receive and respond to medical care.

The earthquake occurred early in the morning, which contributed to the high death toll from the disaster: most people were sleeping inside their homes when the quake struck. Furthermore, the initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks, one of which was almost as strong as the main quake. To put this in perspective: the highest and more severe rank an earthquake can have on the Richter scale is 8, and this one was 7.8.

Since this is the first time in a long time that the region has been hit by such a severe earthquake, Turkey's emergency services are struggling to respond to the hundreds of thousands of people in immediate need. The region's infrastructure was not accustomed to this type of severe emergency and was not prepared to deal with the aftermath. To make matters worse, Syria has long been mired in a brutal civil war, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (along with the Russian government's veto of opening Syria's northwest border to allow foreign aid) has made it impossible for humanitarian aid efforts to reach Syrians in need. making it difficult, if not impossible, to reach them.

Often an afterthought in world politics, the people of the Middle East need help now more than ever. As we speak, thousands of volunteers and NGOs are working to reach those injured, trapped, and displaced by this disaster. Below is a list of organizations that are working to assist Syrians and Turks in need of immediate assistance.

White Helmets is one of the few organizations that has been able to cross the border into Syria to help those affected by the civil war, missile attacks, and now the earthquake. In addition to rescuing people from the rubble and providing immediate medical attention to the injured, these volunteers have provided immediate and long-term shelter to refugees, repaired power grids and sewage systems, removed unexploded weapons, provided education, and prepared communities for future disasters and attacks. They can also financially support their activities.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is made up of Red Cross and Red Crescent chapters worldwide. Currently, this renowned organization has volunteers on the ground in Syria and Turkey rescuing and evacuating people affected by disasters and providing emergency medical care. Donations can be made here.

GlobalGiving was founded in 1997 with the intention not only to provide global aid, but also to support and disseminate ideas from individuals and small organizations on how to make aid more effective and efficient. Currently, the organization is engaged in disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Pakistan, Ukraine, East Africa, and, of course, Turkey and Syria. In the wake of the recent earthquake, the response has included fuel, water, medical care, and shelter assistance, etc. When you donate to GlobalGiving, your gift supports both these immediate needs and the organization's commitment to supporting long-term recovery and growth in the region.

Islamic Relief USA was founded in 1993 to provide disaster and emergency aid to all people in need, regardless of religion, race, gender, or politics. Since then, the organization has expanded its activities to include medical care, education, food aid, shelter, and more, with over 100 offices in more than 40 countries around the world. Many volunteers are currently on the ground to provide desperately needed assistance to those affected by the earthquake in Eastern Turkey. You can support their activities.

Over the years, CARE has played an active role in responding to the global hunger crisis exacerbated by climate change and political conflict by providing safe food and water supplies, education, employment, shelter, and emergency assistance to those in need. They have played an active role in addressing the global hunger crisis exacerbated by climate change and political conflict. They are currently volunteering to provide food, medical care, and shelter to victims in Syria and Turkey. Please consider making a donation.

The Zakat Foundation of America takes its name from the charitable giving outlined in the Islamic tradition of the Quraan. In this spirit, the Zakat Foundation has provided education, safe housing, orphan care, access to clean water, and financial assistance to people in crisis in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Currently, UNICA volunteers are working in Turkey and Syria to respond to the injured, find survivors, assist those left behind, and ensure warm and safe housing for displaced people.

UNICEF has long gained a reputation in the non-profit sector for its work with children and mothers, and its work in Syria and Turkey is no different. UNICEF is already involved in humanitarian assistance and child protection for the Syrian population, and is currently ensuring that people affected by the earthquake have access to clean water. In addition, UNICEF is working in both Syria and Turkey to reunite separated families, provide psychosocial support to traumatized children, offer temporary education, and repair damage to critical infrastructure. You can help too.

Since 2007, the Syrian American Medical Association Foundation has been one of the most active organizations on the front lines of the Syrian conflict, providing medical assistance, medical education and training, financial support for medical personnel, and immediate medical care to Syria's most vulnerable populations. It has also established a number of field hospitals, mobile ICUs, dental clinics, primary care clinics, and maternity and newborn facilities in the region. Please consider donating to their efforts so that they can continue their emergency relief efforts to save the lives of the thousands of people who were seriously injured in Monday's earthquake.

Médecins Sans Frontières is arguably one of the world's best-known medical-focused nonprofit organizations. Completely non-political, they work tirelessly to search for and rescue survivors, provide life-saving medical care, and assist traumatized victims in the aftermath of disasters. You can support their efforts.

Direct Relief, as its name implies, is a no-frills, non-governmental organization based in California and operating in all 50 states and over 80 countries. Dedicated to helping those in need regardless of politics, religion, nationality, or ability to pay, their focus is on maternal health, access to quality health care, disease prevention, disaster relief, and public health care. They are currently greatly concerned about the situation in Turkey and Syria, and your donation will help them purchase medical equipment and hygiene supplies and provide immediate medical attention to those affected.