Since deadly earthquakes and aftershocks struck south-central Turkey and northwestern Syria, we’ve heard heartbreaking stories of loss and survival. Here are ways you can help people in the region with immediate relief and long-term recovery.

1. Give cash.
Cash is the best way to help the people in Turkey and Syria who have survived the disaster, including more than 40,000 who have been injured. Many people have no home to return to and will have to find a way to meet their needs, which will vary from day to day. A cash donation to the GlobalGiving Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief Fund will help local community-led organizations provide relief based on the needs of the people they serve.

2. Stay informed.
Rescue efforts are complicated by freezing temperatures, economic struggles in both countries, and the ongoing Syrian civil war. Get the facts about the earthquakes and follow the latest developments from reputable news sources.

3. Support populations in need.
Syria has been embroiled in civil war for more than a decade. Roughly two-thirds of the country’s population has been displaced and sheltered in the northwestern corner along the border with Turkey. Of the 3.5 million Syrian refugees that Turkey hosts, many live in the Gaziantep province, near the epicenter of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

4. Champion community-led relief.
One of the most important ways to support long-term recovery is to fuel local community organizations like the Mavi Kalem Association. Community-led organizations have the most promising solutions to crises because they have deep context and connections where they work. They can understand and quickly adapt to emerging needs after a disaster.

Read the full article about Turkey and Syria earthquake survivors by Tebben Lopez at GlobalGiving.