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Tens of thousands of pounds will go to victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake, Guernsey’s Overseas Aid Commission has confirmed.
The Commission initially said that the two countries devastated by high magnitude earthquakes on 6 February would be “unlikely” to benefit from public money since they fell outside the usual criteria for support.
However, just hours later the UK Disaster & Emergency Committee (DEC) Public Appeal was formally opened and supported by HM Government.
Overseas Aid met locally earlier this week and, following requests from charities, have now decided to provide up to £60,000 to relief efforts.
More than 41,000 people have been killed, hundreds of thousands injured, and millions displaced by the natural disaster.
The Bailiff Disaster Relief Fund has also been opened for public donations.
Pictured: The death toll has been steadily rising over the past two weeks.
£25,000 will be donated directly to the DEC appeal, and up to £25,000 - to match the funding raised through the Bailiff fund - will also be sent to the DEC.
A Community Partnership Award has also been launched to match funds up to £10,000 raised by today’s States primary schools Mufti day.
The DEC have 10 member charities working in Turkey and Syria in response to the Earthquake. They are focusing on addressing basic needs such as shelter, food, water and protection.
These programmes are seeking to serve the needs of the most vulnerable people including Syrian refugees living in Turkey. Even before the earthquake, there were 3.6 million Syrian refugees who had fled to Turkey due to conflict - and this is likely to increase.
Deputy Chris Blin, President of the Overseas Aid & Development Commission, said the scale of the disaster demands official humanitarian support.
“The Commission has now received direct assurances from the DEC that the desperately needed aid can be securely delivered in Turkey and Syria, so it reaches those most in need. The Commission is especially pleased that this will include Syrian Refugees living in Turkey,” he said.
“This, and the news in recent days that additional border crosses have opened from Turkey to Syria, gives the Commission comfort that aid can be delivered in a managed way."
He thanked the public and school headteachers for their willingness and compassion to help “the desperate plight of those affected”.
Pictured: Deputy Blin thanked the public for their generosity.
• By bank transfer:
Bank: NatWest Bank, Guernsey
Sort Code 60-09-20
Account Number 70956421
Reference: Bailiff’s Disaster Relief Fund Turkey-Syria Appeal
• In person at the bank:
Any branch of NatWest in the Bailiwick for the account of Bailiff’s Disaster Relief Fund Turkey-Syria Appeal -number 70956421
• By post:
Cheques made payable to Bailiff’s Disaster Relief Fund Turkey-Syria Appeal and sent to The Bailiff’s Chambers, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, GY1 2NZ.
Turkey and Syria "unlikely" to benefit from States support
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