Turkiye Diyanet Foundation mobilizes children in danger of freezing in the cold

Turkiye Diyanet Foundation launched an initiative to aid children in Syria, where it is harder to acclimate to life due to the harsh winter circumstances, and those in danger of freezing, to maintain a safer life.

Izani Turan, General Manager of Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, said that from the first day of the war, they tried to aid Syrian families in everything from food to shelter, education to health care.

He stated that the number of victimizations and needs increased much more as the weather chilled. “Nearly 1.5 million people lived in Azez, Idlib, and Afrin prior to the war. At present, the population of the region has reached 6 million. More than 2 million of these people stay in tents. Most of the people in the houses that we call “jerry-building” do not have any other burning items or furniture to spend the winter. That means that nearly 3 million people are struggling to survive without protection against freezing winter conditions. It is also the coldest day of the past 30 years. And most of the people who live there are people who have migrated from southern regions that have never seen such a cold in their lives. With these in mind, cold weather affects families who struggle for life in the region much more. They are trying to hold on to life with the aid delivered from Turkiye,” he said.

Relief mobilization launched with 1003 branches

Turan noted that together with the 1003 branches of Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, started to mobilize for aid, continued as follows:

“We have launched charity mobilization in 81 provinces and 922 districts through our muftis branches of the foundation. Our brothers and sisters in Azaz, Idlib, and Afrin regions urgently need relief supplies such as stoves, coal, flour, pulses, food packages, cleaning/hygiene packages, winter clothes especially between the ages of 0-14, shoes and boots, coats, tents, sponge beds, carpets, sick and diapers, blankets. So far, we have planned nearly 5,000 stoves, about 1,000 tons of coal, 5,000 coats, 5,000 boots, 8,000 blankets, 5,000 food packages, 5,000 carpets, and 3,000 beds, and their distributions to the families in Syria continue. The more donations are delivered, the more we will be able to offer a helping hand to the oppressed.”

Stating that children are most affected by the cold weather and the grievances experienced, Turan said, “We are informed that the screams of cold children break the silence of the night. We want none of our children to have to interrupt their sweet sleep to avoid freezing. Let him rest his head on the pillow in peace and sleep safely. Just as we can sleep in our warm homes, our war-torn brothers and sisters can experience this feeling.”

Turan stated that citizens can make donations within the scope of the campaign carried out under the theme of “Follow The Charity”, and said that any amounts of aid can be made online or through branches at bagis.tdv.org.

Turan emphasized that citizens who want to provide in-kind aid can deliver their aid supplies to the Kilis Logistics Center of the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, provided that the package is new, which has not been opened.