Support for Turkish children after the earthquake
04.01.2024
The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ankara provided educational assistance to nearly 1,200 children living in Hatay and Adıyaman provinces. The regions were among the most affected by the February 2023 earthquake.
The Polish Embassy, in cooperation with the Turkish non-governmental organization ASAM, coordinated the distribution of school stationery. Thanks to local schools and community centres, notebooks and writing materials reached children living in remote and not easily accessible areas as well.
Additionally, therapeutic music workshops with the local artists were organized for the children staying in container camps for quake survivors. As a result, children learned how to cope with traumatic experiences and had a chance to have joyful moments.
Notably, assistance was provided not only to Turkish children, but also to children of Syrian origin, due to the large number of Syrian refugees staying in Hatay province.
The ASAM partner organization participated in activities for the local community since the early days after the earthquake, offering rescue, medical and psychological support to people affected by the disaster, hence it had a very good understanding of the needs and local conditions.
It has to be noted that the entire project was implemented in cooperation with the Turkish Presidency for Disaster and Crisis Management (AFAD), that allowed effective coordination of activities and thoroughgoing support for children and their families.
