TV star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has spoken of the ongoing need for humanitarian support for people affected by the Türkiye-Syria earthquake during a visit to a Turkish school in London.
The Love Island winner, who visited Türkiye with the Red Cross in the aftermath of the deadly 2023 quake, told pupils at Docklands Academy London, Londra Atatürk School about her experience in the country, as well as the ongoing efforts to support those affected by the disaster.
Ekin-Su told pupils she is still worried about her relatives in the country “My family in Türkiye live in fear,” she said.
“Every day I think about my grandma, I think about my cousins, my aunties, my uncles and my cousins’ kids. People want to try and stay safe, but they try and live life as it comes and try not to manifest the worst. They are grieving for the lost ones.”
More than 50,000 people died when an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023. The Turkish Red Crescent (Türk Kizilay) responded immediately, providing first aid to the injured and helping to transport patients to hospitals.
Images: Steve Finn
In the days, weeks and months since, the organisation has worked with international partners including the British Red Cross to provide ongoing humanitarian support. To date they have delivered:
- More than 426 million hot meals
- Over 11.6 million relief items – including tents, blankets, heaters, and hygiene kits
- Support for more than 460,000 families to cover their critical expenses such as rent, bills and groceries
- 2.2 billion Turkish Lira in cash aid
- Mental health and psychosocial support for over 207,000 people
However, the British Red Cross has said that one year on from the devastating earthquakes, the humanitarian needs on the ground remain immense. Türkiye and Syria are facing a bitter winter with freezing temperatures, bringing an additional layer of hardship for those displaced or still living in temporary shelters.
Canan Ejder Celik, principal of Docklands Academy London, Londra Ataturk School, said “Ekin-Su is a prominent figure of Turkish heritage in the UK, and we were delighted to welcome her to the Londra Ataturk School to mark the anniversary of the tragic earthquake which affected Türkiye and Syria. She eloquently highlighted the values we try to promote as a school, urging continuous support for the people affected by the disaster.”
To donate to the British Red Cross Türkiye-Syria earthquake appeal, visit: https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal
