The Enterprise Holdings Foundation recently announced a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to assist those impacted by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. The donation supports both the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
Two earthquakes (magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6) hit the region on Feb. 6, and two weeks later, a magnitude 6.3 aftershock struck Turkey’s southern Hatay province, near the Syrian border. So far, more than 40,000 people have been killed with over a hundred thousand injured while 164,000 buildings have collapsed or been damaged.
“Our thoughts and support are with all those affected by the earthquake, especially our franchise partner in Turkey,” Enterprise Holdings Foundation President Carolyn Kindle said.
The Enterprise Holdings franchise partner in Turkey dispatched a fleet of 80 camper caravans to the region to serve as emergency housing and temporary shelter for those affected. They have also provided pickup trucks to assist with distribution of food and supplies, partnered with local government entities in 10 of the hardest-hit cities to help understand how they can best aid the recovery efforts and coordinated additional support through social media outreach.
"Investing in and giving back to the communities around the world in which we live and work is an important aspect of the Enterprise culture,” Vice President of Global Franchising Pete Smith said. “We’re proud of the work and resolve of our partners in Turkey and will continue to provide support and encouragement to them as they work to rebuild.”
According to the American Red Cross, more than 9,000 volunteers and staff from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and Turkish Red Crescent have been on the ground helping since the first two earthquakes struck. In Turkey, teams from the Turkish Red Crescent deployed food and basic aid items such as tents and blankets to support the injured and evacuated in 10 affected provinces. In Syria, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent teams have been responding in the hardest hit areas – including Hama, Aleppo, Lattakia and Tartous – providing healthcare, medical support and relief items such as food, water and hygiene kits.
