Meeting Ongoing Needs in Turkish Camps, Kitchens, and Clinics

Melek and her four young nieces and nephew vacated their home following the February earthquakes in Turkey. They are now living in a camp for internally displaced people in Maraş, Turkey.

The family is grateful to be alive and together, but they face many challenges as they attempt to establish a sense of normalcy. Like hundreds of thousands of families across the region, they are currently living in a tent. They have done their best to make it comfortable, but they miss their home. 

“We want to be able to move back into our home,” Melek shared. “Our hope is that there won't be any more earthquakes and that there are no big cracks in our house. We want to go home.”

When they first came to the camp, access to water and food was a challenge. Melek explained that there was very little water to drink, and the water that was available was dirty. After Water Mission installed a safe water system at the camp, Melek's family — and thousands of other women and children like them — now have safe water for drinking, cooking, and handwashing.

Their health has improved.  “Thank you for coming here and installing this system.... Thank you to all the team that came,” Melek expressed on behalf of her family.

As of the end of April, this is one of the 16 safe water systems that Water Mission has installed in camps, kitchens, and clinics across the region. These systems are providing access to safe water for nearly 57,000 men, women, and children, including the 6,000 people living at this camp. With 3 million people displaced following the earthquakes, the water, sanitation, and hygiene needs continue to be significant.

Thank you for choosing to partner with Water Mission. You are bringing health and hope to so many people as they attempt to rebuild their lives. We could not serve families like Melek’s without your prayerful generosity.

Water Mission was born out of the need for safe water following Hurricane Mitch more than 20 years ago. Since then, support from friends like you have enabled us to serve men, women, and children following some of the world’s most devastating natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Will you prayerfully consider helping us bring safe water and trauma healing to those in need? Give TODAY