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Waiting game for Aid workers

Waiting game for Aid workers

Friday 10 February 2023

Waiting game for Aid workers

Friday 10 February 2023


A charity worker from Guernsey who has helped countless people across the world has suggested donations to help victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria go through Médecins Sans Frontières.

Linda Garnham runs a charity called Aid Reaching Children.

It's aim is to: "raise funds for carefully chosen projects where children are in distress through whatever life has thrown at them, war/disaster zones, poverty, sickness, homeless and on larger scales children that are orphaned".

Ms Garnham founded her charity in 1998 after her career in the military led to her being asked to join a convoy taking humanitarian aid to refugees fleeing Kosovo.

Since then she has helped raise thousands of pounds and has provided hands on support following natural disasters and in war zones.

medicines san frontieres

Pictured: You can donated to Médecins Sans Frontières HERE. 

Ms Garnham told Express that the situation unfolding in Turkey and Syria is "horrific" and that she is "absolutely devastated" with the impact it is having on children.

With her experience of working in the midst of previous unfolding disasters, Ms Garnham has said she is waiting to see how she can offer practical support in a meaningful way while encouraging anyone who wants to send a monetary donation to do so through the internationally recognised Médecins Sans Frontières - which stands for Doctors Without Borders.

"I’ve asked for donations to go to MSF, and I will collect cash to forward to them," Ms Garnham explained.

"We can’t go and help until the emergency phase is finished," she said, "...(I) don’t want to be a burden on those already there. It’s a logistical nightmare.

"If I took volunteers we would have to find accommodation etc... (it's) just not feasible right now.

"I’m absolutely devastated seeing all these children being found dead, but I am so pleased some have been rescued. It’s a horrific situation."

Ms Garnham said in time she may travel to the affected areas herself to help but for now she knows that her support is best placed by co-ordinating any financial donations through Médecins Sans Frontières.

"...(I) feel for all these emergency workers at the scenes they must be witnessing," she said. "I am looking at ways that we may be able to help in the near future (too)..."

Santa Fun Run

Pictured: A previous Santa Fun Run convoy sets off from Pembroke.

Médecins Sans Frontières provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. The charity's teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff.

Ms Garnham has previously shared funds raised locally with MSF. Her fund-raising efforts have included the annual Santa Fun Run and other events including stalls at local events such as the summer shows.

She was nominated for a Pride of Britain Award in 2014 for her relentless fundraising work. She was chosen as the winner of the local regional award between nominees across the Channel Islands and attended the national awards in London. 

Pictured top: Main image from msf.org.uk, with Linda Garnham, (inset). You can donated to Médecins Sans Frontières HERE.

Read more...

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News Turkey and Syria “unlikely” to benefit from States support


 

 

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