Turkish stars collect more than $6 billion for earthquake affectees

Turkey’s new campaign for earthquake affectees, dubbed Turkey One Heart, was established by several Turkish television and radio stations who joined forces to stage a relief drive for the survivors of last week’s catastrophe.

Millions of individuals, including children, adults, companies, religious minorities, organisations, and labour unions from Turkey and several other nations, participated in a large fundraising effort to help tens of thousands of survivors of the earthquake. The seven-hour live fundraiser was moderated by Turkish TV celebrities Nihat Hatipoglu, Pelin Cift, former model Çağla Şikel, media magnate Acun Ilcal, and others.

At the same time, more than 9 million SMS were sent out by the country’s telecom companies as part of the campaign. Children, soldiers, diplomats, CEOs of major businesses, and others offered gifts to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Red Crescent.

Among many renowned celebrities, the Love For Rent actor Barış Arduç, TV presenter Esra Erol, and Warrior star Berk Oktay were also present on stage answering the phone calls set up for donations.

Other famous faces taking part in the campaign were Burak Özçivit, Hande Erçel, Engin Akyürek, Afra Saraçoğlu, Burak Deniz, Alp Navruz, Aslı Enver, Merve Dizdar, Barış Falay, Selahattin Paşalı, Özge Özpirinçci, Uğur Güneş, Murat Yıldırım, Mehmet Özgür, Birkan Sokullu, Eda Ece, Melisa Aslı Pamuk, Ismail Hacıoğlu, Kadir Doğulu and his wife Neslihan Atagül Doğulu, Seda Sayan, Hasan Can Kaya, Aras Bulut Iynemli, Ezgi Mola and Halit Ergenç.

President Erdogan’s call

Joining the live telecast in a call, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed certainty that the campaign would gather an unprecedented amount of money from the people, proving their generosity. He also stated that the entire campaign’s returns will go to earthquake victims. “Our aim is to provide shelters where our people can live safely and peacefully in place of every demolished building within a year. I hope we will overcome this test together,” he said.