GADRA activated its Emergency Operations Center in response to the February 6 earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. By supporting Disabled Person's Organizations in the impacted region, GADRA expedites disability resources that are not provided by other humanitarian aid supply chains.
Join GADRA in assisting disability-led organizations in Türkiye and Syria who urgently need our support today. GADRA is committed to leave no one behind.
Letter from GADRA's Steering Team
Greetings from the Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA),
As you are aware, on Monday, February 6, 2023, at 4:16 AM local time, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated central Türkiye and northwest Syria. The earthquake was one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years. Strong aftershocks have been felt across the region for hours after the first quake, including a severe quake measuring magnitude 7.5.
Thousands of people have died, many are still missing, and many more were injured. Adding to the challenges is very cold, wet, and snowy weather, making the crisis even more difficult for all who have been forced into the streets.
For Syrians, the devastation adds an unbearable new crisis to years of war. More than 4 million people rely on humanitarian assistance in the region of Syria where the quake struck, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
It is estimated that there are over 8.5 million people with disabilities in Türkiye. GADRA has activated its Emergency Operations Center and begun connecting with Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) in the impact area. We stand ready to facilitate humanitarian resources directly to these disability-led organizations to meet the urgent needs of their community. DPO’s who need assistance are encouraged to submit their information to GADRA on the Emergency Operations Center at https://gadra.communityos.org/ and click ‘Disaster Assistance’ for the fastest connection to support.
Following the GADRA Rapid Response Protocol we have begun seeking humanitarian relief resources from corporations and foundations seeking to provide direct assistance to disability-led organizations serving the immediate needs of people with disabilities in their community. Interested supporters are encouraged to visit https://gadra.communityos.org/ and click ‘Corporate Funders’ to make a direct connection to DPOs in need.
For people with disabilities, who are 2-4 times more likely to die or be injured in disasters, there will be an urgent need for humanitarian aid brought to them. Many will not be able to reach points of distribution for drinking water, food, medicines, blankets, and other basic needs. Accessible temporary sheltering will be very limited, as will access to wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers and disability-related personal care items. Sign language and accessible information are critical needs for Deaf and blind survivors. For disability-led organizations, assistance with navigating the complex humanitarian aid systems, technology, communication, and other assistive devices, help with resuming operations, shipping, and other resources will enable these community leaders to best support their community.
As more traditional disaster relief begins, experience has shown that it rarely reaches local disability-led organizations. GADRA exists to fill this gap for DPOs. These organizations are not looking for charity, they are looking for support to respond to their community now.
If you are a Corporation or Foundation wanting to be sure your humanitarian resources reach local disability led organizations, please let us help you make that connection. Whether you have been active with GADRA, or this is the first that you are hearing about us, we invite you to partner with us to accelerate disaster relief to where and how its needed most. Please go to https://gadra.communityos.org/ to join GADRA as we accelerate disaster resources to Disabled Persons Organizations in Türkiye and Syria. For more information or support you may also reach out to GADRA@wid.org.
Sincerely,
Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration Steering Committee
The World Institute on Disability, The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, ONG Inclusiva
Text to Give
Text crisis10 to 20222 to give a $10 donation or crisis25 to 20222 for a $25 donation. All one-time donations will be added to your monthly phone bill and 100% of funds raised will go to support disability-led organizations responding to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.
No standard text messaging fees are incurred by mobile users to initiate and complete a text message donation. No portion of any amount donated is held by participating wireless providers, 100% of all donations are passed through at 100% to this effort. All mobile users can obtain a tax receipt for their donations made via text message by visiting: http://www.mobilegiving.org/tax-receipt/. Mobile users can donate up to $100 per 30 consecutive days.
About GADRA
Launched by WID, the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies and ONG Inclusiva in 2020, GADRA brings together Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) experiencing disaster directly with corporate and foundation humanitarian relief funding and resources where and when they are needed most. Thus far, GADRA has facilitated direct assistance to DPOs valued at over one million dollars (USD).
For the past year, GADRA has been supporting Fight For Right, a Ukrainian Disabled Persons Organization, which is providing response assistance to disabled Ukrainians impacted by the Russian war on Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainian people with disabilities have been helped through evacuations, relocation assistance, accessible sheltering and housing, and access to disability related resources. GADRA’s ongoing partnership with Fight for Right on behalf of Ukrainians with disabilities includes administration, advocacy, logistics, resources and technical assistance.
GADRA communicates with disability stakeholders in over 130 countries and has supported Disability Led Organizations in multiple countries experiencing crisis and disaster including Disability Leaders in Columbia, Haiti, Ukraine, Jordan, Pakistan, and Turkey, as well as in the US, in Puerto Rico, Texas and Louisiana.
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