How international climate activists can help those in Türkiye and Syria

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An important call to action from Y4N Syrian Global Ambassador, Yazan:

Last Monday communities across Türkiye and Syria experienced devastating earthquakes. By now, you have probably seen videos, interviews, photos and more across the news and social media. The response efforts have been immediate, but nothing near enough, and those on the ground are working around the clock on search and rescue and on emergency response for those whose lives have been turned upside down. In both Türkiye and Syria, it is winter. And Syrians face extra challenges in accessing response & recovery due to the intersectionality of crises, including that 90% of the population lives in poverty and the extreme vulnerability to drought seasons that are hitting the country in recent decades due to climate change.

What can we do? As the global climate community, we know what solidarity looks like. We know not everyone is in a financial position to make donations, but the ways to support go beyond this. Here are a few:

  • Reshare and help amplify messages from on-ground people and organisers within your own circles of influence. 

  • Help your friends and family do research about their donations - look for channels that are being shared by those on the ground and that focus on direct giving. Here are a few we are following:

  • Reach out to your political representatives to let them know you are worried about the situation and make them suspend any measures that might deter medical aid and any other equipment related to rescue and response efforts, as well as life-saving aid, from reaching any and all parts of Syria.

  • Share awareness about the artificial barriers that the media build to separate us from the people out there, search and contact with local activists, and empower them to lead and represent their communities by sending resources, knowledge, solidarity, bridges for opportunities, and finance if you can.

A long record of instability and disruption follows natural disasters enhanced by climate change, or those that occur in climate change most affected regions, and this is no exception. Global solidarity for efforts in Türkiye and Syria cannot stop here. We need to continue to advocate for and create safe spaces for all refugees and vulnerable communities, especially during this instability, and we must continue to demand access to platforms like Twitter, and other capacity-building opportunities that had been blocked in the last decade so that people on the ground can get their messages out, and be empowered to do so. When we talk about climate finance, when we talk about loss and damages, when we talk about green infrastructure and just recovery and food systems and water access - we must ask who is and who is not at the table. We must listen to and uplift these voices, this work. We must support front-line leaders, especially youth, in their efforts. 

We are in solidarity with those in Türkiye, Syria and all people losing their loved ones because of disasters enhanced by climate change impacts. Sending you care and hope, and we are committing to helping the affected communities get more access to our programs in the coming months. 

Header image: The Guardian