Follow-up Relief in the Earthquake Region

Northern Kurdistan, Turkey – The Work Continues

Diyarbakır, November 2026

In March 2023, Michael, Andreas and Farhad travelled from Munich via Izmir to Diyarbakır in eastern Turkey. Together with Abdu and Kale, the team spent a week in the towns and villages devastated by the severe earthquake. The experiences and encounters of that journey have remained vivid memories to this day.

On 6 February 2023, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the region along the Turkish Syrian border, causing immense suffering. Many families lost their homes, loved ones and their livelihoods. At the time, FriendCircle WorldHelp provided immediate emergency relief on the ground.

More than three years later, the FriendCircle WorldHelp team returns to the region. Farhad and Alexandra travel from Nuremberg to Diyarbakır for five days to once again support children and families.

Numerous family visits are on the agenda. Packages containing essential supplies are purchased directly on site. The two also bring warm hats and many hand-knitted socks for the cold season, as well as a few cuddly toys for the children.

During each visit, Farhad and Alexandra take the time to listen. What worries and difficulties are the families facing? What is most urgently needed at the moment? Support is provided as specifically as possible and tailored to each family's individual situation. The children and their families welcome the two with great warmth and gratitude. Their joy at receiving support is more than evident.

The days are long and demanding. In the evenings, Alexandra and Farhad return to the hotel with many impressions. More enjoyable is the start to the following morning: a generous traditional regional breakfast and a Turkish mocha are among the pleasant moments of this trip.

Supporting a Women's Project

On the final day, an opportunity arises quite unexpectedly to visit a women's project. The women make beautiful cuddly toys and various fabric products by hand. Over the past few years, through a great deal of hard work and personal initiative, they have developed a wide range of products and are doing their best to sell them.

Until recently, the only support they had received was a room provided by the city to serve as an exhibition and sales space. The women also focus on children from disadvantaged backgrounds, including children whose parents have either passed away or are in prison. They organize charity afternoons for these children.

The concept and its funding are simple and based on a spirit of community: half of the sales proceeds go to the women who make the products. The remaining share is used to cover the cost of materials and goes into the project's joint fund.

FriendCircle WorldHelp supports the initiative with a financial contribution towards purchasing new materials. This helps the women continue their work and strengthens the community project.

A Journey with Challenges – and a Happy Ending

The return journey has one more surprise in store. The first flight is already so heavily delayed when departing in the morning that the connecting flight in Izmir is missed. Rebooking and even changing airlines become necessary. Eventually, Alexandra and Farhad do make it back to Nuremberg that evening.

Frank is there to welcome them. They are delighted to be home again. Not even the final traffic jam, just ten kilometers from their destination in the middle of the night, can spoil their mood.

Tired but happy, they bring an intensive journey to an end. They are pleased with the successful aid activities, the many warm encounters and the wonderful experiences they take home from Diyarbakır.

As with previous missions, Alexandra and Farhad cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. This means that all donations go directly towards the relief efforts and the people receiving support.