Czech NGO seeks volunteers to travel to Turkey for earthquake-recovery project

Czechia is supporting earthquake-stricken Turkey’s efforts to rebuild and recover with volunteering camps and a concert fundraiser.

The non-governmental organization INEX – Association for Voluntary Activities has started accepting applications for people in Czechia interested in doing short-term assistance work in Turkey from April to September.

Selected volunteers, between 18 and 30 years of age, will assist in the southern Turkish city of Mersin. There will be two 11-week rotations, each of which can have up to eight volunteers who must be able to speak adequate English.

"Camp participants will assist in the preparation of temporary housing, participate in psycho-social support programs, organize activities for children and youth, and work with seniors and people with disabilities,” Alena Cabalka, volunteer coordinator at INEX, said.

According to the website, INEX can only send English-speaking Czech citizens or residents to voluntary projects abroad. Volunteers can help out in a total of 50 countries.

INEX also offers volunteering camps within Czechia, with over 30 held around the country this year. Training in English and leadership, such as learning to become a camp leader, is provided. Those interested can find more information here.

Prague music venue Palác Akropolis in association with event planners A Couple O’ Friends and other artists will hold a special fundraising event to help those left homeless by the quake on the evening of March 29. 

The concert will feature Turkish multi-instrumentalist Roksan Mandel, Pink Concrete from Turkey, the klezmer-themed Shum Davar, alternative-band Nondo, and others. All featuring musicians will play at the concert free of charge.

Those interested in the event can buy tickets here. Proceeds will be donated to the Caritas Earthquake Appeal for Turkey and Syria. People can choose the amount they will pay for each ticket.

The event will also include a solidarity market, offering items from local artists and shops. Attendees can directly donate to the region by purchasing items from the market.

Czechia so far has assisted Turkey by sending around 70 members of its urban search team to the country. The government has also sent CZK 10 million worth of medical equipment to Turkey and earmarked the same amount for Syria, as well as power generators, sleeping bags, and food.

As Turkey and Syria try to recover from the huge destruction inflicted by the earthquakes, the voluntary and fundraising efforts underline Czechia’s continuing efforts to help other countries in need.