Following the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria recently, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the European Olympic Committees (EOC), and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) will donate a total of USD one million to assist the Olympic community in the affected areas. The IOC and OCA will each contribute USD 250,000, the EOC will contribute EUR 250,000, and the ORF will contribute an additional USD 260,000 for immediate emergency assistance to the Turkish people and refugees.
“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake that has struck the south-eastern region of Türkiye and Syria. I have spoken to the NOC President of Türkiye and the NOC President of Syria, and have heard from them about the impact the earthquake has had on many members of the Olympic community. Unfortunately there are a number of athletes and members of the Olympic community among the victims, while many others have lost their homes and sports infrastructure has been heavily damaged,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
“We discussed how best to support the members of the Olympic community. As a result of the conversations, we have agreed with the OCA, the EOC and the ORF to take immediate action,” the IOC President added. “Our first-response emergency assistance in Türkiye will channeled through the Olympic Refuge Foundation and their partners on site. In Syria, we will work with international NGOs and UN agencies that are able to access the affected areas. We have learnt that the biggest need at the moment is for food, medicine and tents.”
The Olympic Refuge Foundation has immediately released funds from the first year of funding for its Sport for Solidarity program, which is one of its largest programs currently in operation in Turkey. The Sport for Solidarity program, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM), the UNHCR, and the Turkish Olympic Committee, uses sport to help young refugees and asylum seekers feel safe and protected while also connecting them with their local communities.
It is being distributed in seven of Turkey's most densely populated cities, including the earthquake-affected areas (Mersin, Sanliurfa, and Adana), which also have a large Syrian refugee population. Because of the devastating impact on them, their families, and the host community, the ORF contribution, which was originally intended to support the program, will now be used for humanitarian assistance, such as clothing, blankets, food, and shelter.
“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by the earthquake that has struck the south-eastern region of Türkiye and Syria. I have spoken to the NOC President of Türkiye and the NOC President of Syria, and have heard from them about the impact the earthquake has had on many members of the Olympic community. Unfortunately there are a number of athletes and members of the Olympic community among the victims, while many others have lost their homes and sports infrastructure has been heavily damaged,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
“We discussed how best to support the members of the Olympic community. As a result of the conversations, we have agreed with the OCA, the EOC and the ORF to take immediate action,” the IOC President added. “Our first-response emergency assistance in Türkiye will channeled through the Olympic Refuge Foundation and their partners on site. In Syria, we will work with international NGOs and UN agencies that are able to access the affected areas. We have learnt that the biggest need at the moment is for food, medicine and tents.”
The Olympic Refuge Foundation has immediately released funds from the first year of funding for its Sport for Solidarity program, which is one of its largest programs currently in operation in Turkey. The Sport for Solidarity program, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM), the UNHCR, and the Turkish Olympic Committee, uses sport to help young refugees and asylum seekers feel safe and protected while also connecting them with their local communities.
It is being distributed in seven of Turkey's most densely populated cities, including the earthquake-affected areas (Mersin, Sanliurfa, and Adana), which also have a large Syrian refugee population. Because of the devastating impact on them, their families, and the host community, the ORF contribution, which was originally intended to support the program, will now be used for humanitarian assistance, such as clothing, blankets, food, and shelter.