Textile brands that source their products from Turkey have rallied behind the Turkish population devastated by the killer earthquake that has left at least 19000 killed beside huge loss to property and infrastructure.
Amazon, H&M Group, and Zara owner Inditex are contributing their bit to lessen the miseries of earthquake victims. Amazon is sending truckloads of relief goods. It has opened a new donation page on the Amazon Turkey storefront. The response of the customers was amazing as within three hours of going live they donated 5000 items. The first truck that was sent on Tuesday carried heaters, blankets, and other goods to “aid first responders and help victims stay warm amid frigid weather. The goods were delivered to Hatay, one of the worst-hit provinces of Turkey. Amazon has reported that all its 2000 workers are safe.
Amazon administration in Turkey is in constant contact with relief organisations and the Turkish government to gather information about items needed for relief. It has promised to deliver relief items and logistic support.
Zara, Bershka, and Pull&Bear owner Inditex have donated 3 million euros ($3.2 million) to the Red Crescent to support relief efforts. In addition to providing necessities such as blankets, tarps, cooking kits and water its personnel on the ground are also contributing to search-and-rescue efforts. They are offering psychosocial assistance besides distributing hot meals and transferring blood and plasma.
The relief efforts are hampered due to broken infrastructure making it difficult to reach the affected population. The severe cold and disrupted telecommunication have made the relief task more challenging according to the Inditex statement. The Spanish retailer is also funding a Doctors Without Borders emergency unit on an “ongoing basis.”
Besides cash donations, Inditex also gave 500,000 outerwear products to the Red Crescent and AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency). Some of these garments have already been dispatched to people affected by the earthquakes.
H&M Group also announced it works closely with rescue teams to “analyze the urgent needs.” It has started distributing winter garments to earthquake victims, besides giving $100,000 to AFAD to aid its work in Turkey. The H&M Foundation, the Swedish retailer’s philanthropic arm, is also donating $500,000 to the Red Cross/Red Crescent and Save the Children to support their efforts in the region.
