The Resilience and Strength of Those Affected by Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

Poppy Delevingne, a model and actress, shares her heartbreaking but inspiring experience during her visit to Turkey last year. She witnessed the aftermath of devastating earthquakes that took place in the south of the country and neighboring Syria. The disasters claimed the lives of over 55,000 people and displaced 2.7 million. Delevingne emphasizes the need to bring attention back to the ongoing struggle faced by survivors, as they have seemingly been forgotten amidst the world’s many conflicts.

The Lingering Devastation

Eight months after the earthquakes, Poppy Delevingne was shocked by the visible level of devastation that remained. The landscape was filled with endless mountains of rubble and damaged buildings. Families and children were living in makeshift shelters along the roadside, surrounded by ruins. She visited the provinces of Hatay and Adiyaman, which were among the hardest-hit areas. Save the Children, the charity Delevingne is an ambassador for, is providing facilities such as showers, toilets, and mental health support to help these families rebuild their lives. The work being done in these provinces is crucial in providing the much-needed assistance to the survivors.

During her visit, Poppy Delevingne was inspired by the incredible resilience of the people she met. Despite having lost everything, including loved ones and homes, they exhibited hope for the future. One woman who left a lasting impression on Delevingne was Sefika, an elderly grandmother living with her young grandson in a container. Both of the child’s parents had perished in the earthquake, yet Sefika remained remarkably resilient. Another woman, Munira, and her nine-month-old daughter Hiba, attended a nutrition session to learn about caring for newborns and breastfeeding. Save the Children provides mental health support and safe spaces for children to play and process their experiences of trauma. Delevingne participated in one of these sessions and witnessed the children’s resilience firsthand.

The survivors of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria need to talk about their experiences as a way of processing their trauma. Poppy Delevingne posed the question before her visit, and she believes that discussing the earthquake is their best way of coping. Save the Children not only provides physical aid but also offers mental health support for both children and adults. Creating safe spaces for children to engage in play and be silly allows them to process their traumatic experiences in a child-friendly environment.

During her visit, Poppy Delevingne took part in distributing hygiene kits, including essential items such as shampoo, soap, and menstrual products. The local shops and livelihoods of these survivors have been destroyed, making it difficult for them to access even basic necessities. Delevingne’s firsthand experience made her deeply appreciative of her privileged life and motivated her to speak out and encourage others to support these communities in need. Save the Children works to respond quickly to emergencies by raising funds through initiatives such as the annual fundraiser Delevingne is a part of.

The Power of Awareness

Poppy Delevingne is passionate about her role as an ambassador for Save the Children because it allows her to spread awareness and bring attention to the ongoing struggles faced by many communities worldwide. By sharing her experiences and encouraging others to open their eyes to these issues, she hopes to make a difference. Trips like her visit to Turkey serve as a shock to the system and require personal reflection to process the emotions and experiences encountered.

Poppy Delevingne’s message is clear: the resilience, hope, and strength of those affected by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria should not be forgotten. While global attention may have shifted to other conflicts, the survivors continue to face immense challenges. It is crucial to support organizations like Save the Children, which provide essential services and aid to help rebuild the lives of those in need. Together, we can make a difference and offer hope to communities that have experienced unimaginable loss.

Poppy Delevingne’s visit to Turkey and Syria opened her eyes to the ongoing struggles faced by survivors of earthquakes. The devastation was overwhelming, but she was inspired by the resilience and strength of the people she met. By shining a light on their experiences and the work done by Save the Children, she hopes to bring attention back to these communities and encourage others to offer support. It is a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, hope can still prevail.