SINGAPORE – The Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) raised more than $2.1 million over two weeks last month to help those affected by the 7.8-magnitude quake that struck Turkey and Syria on Feb 6.
The total amount of $2,151,202 is the highest amount that the local charity has raised for a humanitarian effort in response to a natural disaster.
RLAF had organised fund-raising activities in the wake of more than 40 natural disasters around the world, and the highest amount it previously raised was $432,852 – for those affected by the Pakistan floods in 2022.
On March 2, the charity sent $1 million to Turkish humanitarian aid organisation Hayrat Yardim to support its relief operations, which include emergency aid and mobile soup kitchens.
RLAF chief executive Muhammad Faizal said the donations came from people from all walks of life. “Migrant workers in a Tuas dormitory collected from the little they have among themselves and sent a representative to our office to give their donations.”
He cited, among other examples, a kindergarten teacher who helped to collect donations from the families of pre-schoolers, as well as the contributions of more than 10 organisations, including the Chinese Women’s Association and the Muslim Converts’ Association of Singapore.
During the symbolic cheque handover ceremony held at the Singapore Islamic Hub on Monday, Hayrat Yardim deputy general manager Abdullah Ay said via a video call that the donations collected by RLAF have helped to address the needs of thousands of people in the quake-hit region.
“On behalf of the people of Turkey and Syria, we thank the people of Singapore for their solidarity in these difficult times,” he said.
Representatives of the organisation in Turkish provinces like Adiyaman and Hatay shared during the call that the mobile soup kitchens have provided more than 1.5 million hot meals thus far, and will continue to do so during the fasting month of Ramadan.
Besides providing meals to those affected, Hayrat Yardim has also delivered more than 160,000 blankets, carpets or beds, more than 300,000 pieces of clothing and over 2,500 tents.
More than 50,000 people have died as a result of the earthquake, with millions displaced after countless buildings collapsed.
