The Dutch National Action Day for the victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquakes started on Wednesday morning at 5:55 AM.
With Giro555, a Dutch charity initiative, the Netherlands will host countless initiatives throughout the country today — all dedicated to raising money for the victims of the disaster.
Giro555 is an initiative of 11 collaborating aid organizations: CARE Nederland, Corcaird, Kerk in Actie, Nederlandse Rode Kruis, Oxfam Novib, Plan International, Save the Children, Stichting Vluchteling, Terre des Hommes, UNICEF Nederland and World Vision. Their mission is to provide immediate emergency assistance in times of need.
What is National Action day?
The National Action Day is part of Giro555’s national fundraiser that has been set up to help victims of the Kahramanmaras earthquakes, which hit large parts of Turkey and Syria on 6 February.
Today, day-long radio and TV broadcasts will be aired from the Beeld & Geluid building in Hilversum, aiming to raise money for the cause. A call panel made up of representatives of the Turkish and Syrian communities, alongside famous Dutch people, has also been set up.
Throughout the Netherlands, churches, universities, and countless other companies and institutions have also set up local initiatives to raise money for National Action Day.
Millions of euros
Though the official day of action is taking place today, donations have already been collected by Giro555 since the disaster happened on 6 February.
By Wednesday morning, at the start of the Actiedag, the initiative had already amassed a total of €28.6 million. Out of those, the Dutch government has contributed a total of €20 million.
After promising €10 million last week, Liesje Schreinemacher, minister of foreign trade and development cooperation, announced another €10 million donation from the government on Goedemorgen Nederland this morning.
“I really hope that the people at home who can miss something also contribute to this beautiful day of action today. The help is really very much needed,” Schreinemacher said.
As the NOS reports, the final sum of donations will be made public at the end of the day, on television channels NPO 1, RTL 4 and SBS 6.
Every cent is needed
Since the disaster, the death toll has risen to over 40,000 — while many more are injured, missing, or without a home. Every cent is needed to help them out.
Proceeds from Giro555 are used for shelter, medical assistance, food and drinks, and supplies such as medicine, clothing and blankets.
If you wish to contribute to Giro555, please find additional details below, or visit their website.
Account number: IBAN: NL08 INGB 0000 0005 55
Phone number: 0800-1112
You can donate here.
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For me I think it is only normal to help eachother because we are all human….
But…
The Dutch government doesn’t help it’s own citizens in