Press Release: Earthquakes in Turkey, 2023

Less than a year has passed since Operation Orphan sent their Crisis Response Team head-first to the Ukraine border, in an effort to protect vulnerable children through counter exploitation measures.

The team of experts are now flying into Istanbul to help with the devastating aftermath of the Turkey/Syria earthquakes, having received a formal invitation from the Turkish government today (12.02.2023).

Team members Brad Moore, Dr. Bence Fazekas, Alexander Hayes, Steven Fletcher, Logan Barrett, and Andrew Hayes are flying into Turkey with humanitarian aid and a broad range of skills to assist the Ministry of Family and Social Services and their frontline children’s social workers. Whilst offering practical support, the team’s main focus is finding children who have become orphaned as a result of the earthquakes and helping to keep these children safe (both short term and long term where necessary). 

 News of the first earthquake came days after the organization held a selection course where they welcomed three new members. The team consists of firemen, police, engineers, teachers, medics and youth workers who volunteer their time to help in disasters where there is mass loss of life. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, they operate under the authority of the host government.

We are supporting children who have been orphaned by previous disasters in Nepal, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The charity seeks to care for the most vulnerable and provide hope for these children to access essentials many of us take for granted. 

 To give a donation to help Operation Orphan rescue children and prevent human trafficking please use the following link.

For more information on this deployment and updates through the deployment please contact info@operation-orphan.org or give us a call at 0115 896 9942.

Thank you all so incredibly much. Your support has enabled us to help those most vulnerable in times of distress and ensure their long-term wellbeing. We are so appreciative of everyone who believes in us and our mission to keep children safe.