Intrepid Travel sets up Turkey earthquake appeal
An emergency appeal has been launched by Intrepid Travel following earthquakes in southern Turkey and Syria.
The operator immediately committed A$100,000 (£58,000) through its not-for-profit Intrepid Foundation to support immediate relief, aid, and rescue efforts.
All profits from bookings made on trips in Turkey will be donated to support the appeal until April 30.
The Intrepid Foundation has partnered with Australian Red Cross to ensure funds are allocated to provide immediate and longer-term relief to communities affected by the earthquakes.
This will enable Red Cross and Red Crescent partners to address the immediate and longer-term humanitarian impacts of the earthquakes.
Intrepid pledged to match donations to the appeal to ensure all funds go directly to the Australian Red Cross.
Intrepid Travel operates 30 tours in Turkey and has 25 local staff based in Istanbul.
The company only had one group in the country at the time of the earthquakes.
They were on the opposite side of the country from the earthquake’s epicenter at the time and were reported to be safe and well.
The operator said: “Customer safety remains Intrepid’s number one priority, and while the company is closely assessing government travel advisories, no significant changes to future departures are being planned.”
Intrepid Foundation general manager Biheng Zhang said: “This earthquake has devastated communities across southeastern Turkey and Syria.
“Most of us can only imagine the trauma of this scale of disaster but through supporting this appeal, we can help communities that need it the most by providing basic emergency first aid and items such as blankets and tents to help house families during the middle of winter.”
Chief executive James Thornton added: “Intrepid Travel was founded on the idea of using travel as a force for good and giving back to the places we visit.
“Matching donations and donating all profits from our trips in Turkey is the least we can do for a country that has given so much to our travellers, and done so much for the Intrepid community.
“Our thoughts are with all of those who have lost loved ones and whose lives have been deeply impacted by this devastating earthquake.”
To donate, visit Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Appeal
Photo: Syrian Arab Red Crescent
