When the Earth Shook: Our Response to the 2023 Turkey Earthquakes
On 6th February 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria, leaving behind devastation that words can barely describe. Buildings crumbled. Lives were lost. Communities shattered.
Within 48 hours, our team was deployed on the ground—ready to help in any way we could.
Searching for Life Amid the Rubble
For the first six days, our mission was clear: human search and rescue. Working side by side with local residents and other international NGOs, we dug through the wreckage, desperately searching for survivors. Every minute mattered. Every life pulled from the rubble was a miracle.
In those first days, we were responders. Neighbors. Lifesavers.
When the Silence Fell, We Turned to the Animals
Once human rescues began to slow and hope turned to mourning, we shifted our focus to the silent victims still trapped beneath the ruins—animals.
We knew that for many, pets were family—and losing them would be yet another wound in a time of unimaginable pain. So we built a system. Evacuated Turkish citizens could send us photos, addresses, and descriptions of their missing animals.
Reuniting the Lost
In collaboration with Dev Animal Rescue Team, we worked relentlessly over the next three weeks, navigating dangerous conditions, unstable buildings, and heartbreak at every turn.
But it was worth it.
Together, we located, rescued, and reunited 136 animals with their families—dogs, cats, and other beloved companions pulled from the rubble and brought back into loving arms.
Not All Could Be Saved, But We Tried
As time went on, the rescues became harder. Many structures had collapsed entirely, and some animals were too frightened to be caught—or tragically, hadn’t survived.
Requests began to slow. The chaos gave way to quiet.
And when the time came, we stepped back—grateful for every life we were able to touch.
Hope Amid Destruction
The 2023 earthquakes left scars on Turkey that will take generations to heal. But in the darkest days, we witnessed extraordinary moments of connection—reunions, rescues, resilience.
We were there when it mattered.
And because of your support, we were able to make a difference.