Turkey Relief Update

Dear partners,

We would like to inform you about the ongoing efforts in the earthquake-affected regions. It has been nearly a year since the earthquake. In Hatay (the worst-hit province), demolition work is still not finished, and some areas of the city resemble a ghost town. The container dwellings and tents are not fully prepared for winter rain and snowfall.

First Hope Association (One Kingdom’s partner in the Turkey earthquake relief effort) continues to distribute hygiene, food, and personal care kits regularly. We are also continuing to provide clean drinking water on a regular basis.

Last month, we established a container city consisting of 500 containers. We placed 170 living containers and two laundry facilities (a total of 16 washing machines and 16 dryers) in this container city, which was built by three local and three South Korean nonprofits.
We attended an opening ceremony with Hatay deputy governors, the Korean Ambassador, and nonprofit executives. We are continuing to distribute aid materials regularly to all the families living in this area.

One of the three schools we built in Hatay began classes in September, and the children are now receiving regular education. The construction of our second school is completed, and its opening will take place next week. As for the third school, the necessary equipment has been provided by a very valuable partner. Official protocols and agreements are nearing completion.

We are continuing to provide our educational kits to both the children in these schools and many other children in different areas. 1,000 educational kits have been distributed, and the second part of distribution for 3,000 more are almost complete. We want to be able to continue to support our kids this way, so we are aiming to raise funds for another 2,000 kits.

Our relief efforts in Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep, Malatya, and Adiyaman are also ongoing. We regularly deliver food, hygiene products, baby kits, water, winter clothing, and various items for women and children in need. So many people reach out to us for elderly people in need of assistance, disabled people, and especially families with babies with special needs.

For winter, current needs are warm clothing, coats, firewood, coal, heaters, and blankets. Our goal is to reach out for 2,500 families to give that support during the winter season.

From the first days of the earthquake, a lot of aid was provided for food needs in the form of hot meals or dry food packages. We have tried to continue this aid to a large number of people. Now, we are realizing a more comprehensive idea that we have wanted to do and have been able to carry it out to a small extent over time. First Hope was able to build two kitchens, which have been transferred to government officials. They are continuing with other agencies on their own.

There are many celiac patients, people with food allergies, and others who have to eat gluten-free who were affected by the earthquake. With these kitchen containers in the design phase, we have started our work in establishing two kitchens in Hatay that will operate in this area.

Negotiations are being held with the municipality and other institutions to identify these people with special needs and distribute meals regularly. These institutions are standing by this project with a cooperative and supportive attitude. Each container provides 350 meals per person, per day.

We love you and are grateful for your generous hearts and prayers. Each and every one of our team members works continuously to support and reflect His love with His abundant provision.

Many Turks are coming to Christ or finding a local church to learn about Jesus, which brings joy and hope to all of us.

Please continue to pray for us and pray for peace to come to the Middle East.

Much Love and Grace,

First Hope Association Team

Relief for Turkey is still ongoing. If you would like to support our partnership with First Hope Association, please go here.