Join Impact Cubed and Leichtag Foundation in aiding earthquake victims

A devastating series of earthquakes rocked southeast Turkey and northern Syria early Monday, February 6, causing acute damage and destruction within a 200-mile radius and aftershocks felt as far away as Israel. The scope of the devastation is staggering. Thousands have been confirmed dead, and many more injured. The toll is expected to rise as heroic rescue workers search mounds of wreckage in cities and towns across the area. Relief efforts began amid a winter storm. With freezing temperatures, people across the affected area are left doubly vulnerable, both to the impact of the earthquake and the harsh weather.

Syria, already grappling with a years-long humanitarian crisis, major economic woes, and a cholera outbreak, was in a “perfect storm” in the wake of the deadly earthquake. Hospitals are overwhelmed with some evacuating patients after sustaining severe damage. The earthquakes struck the heart of the world’s largest refugee population. More than four million Syrians relying on immediate humanitarian aid live in the region.

We have made grants to help these desperate people and urge you to join us. Below are some opportunities to give tax-deductible emergency support to those most in need through organizations we evaluated:

• The White Helmets, based in Syria, is a group of thousands of volunteers of all backgrounds who carry out search and rescue operations in the most dire of circumstances. Funds are needed for equipment and supplies. 
• American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is focusing on the most urgent needs, providing temporary shelter, heating, thermal clothes, food, and medical support to the most vulnerable victims in Turkey. JDC has worked on the ground for many decades with Turkey’s Jewish community and their neighbors and has deep, strong connections in the region to leverage their ability to provide direct relief.
• The Syrian American Medical Society is working on the frontlines of the crisis, providing trauma supplies and urgent medical care to save lives and treat the injured.
• United Hatzalah of Israel is sending medical supplies and relief teams consisting of crisis responders, doctors, paramedics, and EMTs to help the thousands in need in Turkey.
• IsraAID is providing vital relief and winter items in Turkey while assessing long-term recovery needs. Emergency teams include experts in water, sanitation and hygiene, mental health, and emergency logistics.
• Multifaith Alliance is on the ground in Syria with an operations office and two healthcare facilities. It is increasing its efforts to provide basic necessities, life-saving medicines, and relief to refugee, earthquake victims.

All aid is being provided on a completely nonsectarian basis to those most in need.

Jewish tradition teaches that to save one life is to save an entire world. During times of sudden emergency and disaster, please join us in stepping forward to help those in crisis who have lost everything.

Please let us know if you donate to any of these organizations. Thank you for helping to repair their communities.