Our story
What happened?
Turkey and Syria were struck by two devastating earthquakes, with magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 on February 6, 2023.11 provinces in Türkiye affected, according to official figures, 53 thousand 537 deaths occurred in Türkiye and millions of people were left homeless. In this earthquake, which affected more than 13.5 million people, 107 thousand 213 people were injured.*
*Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye
Who are we?
We are all volunteers, with family or social ties in Türkiye. We organized our first fundraiser in Leiden on February 11, 2023, the first Saturday after the earthquake, organized with a lot of people who went the extra mile to help. Immediately afterwards, we continued our activities without interruption and thus Solidarity Kitchen NL was born.
We organized several more events and continued to grow rapidly with our volunteers who joined us from many different sectors in different cities of the Netherlands, and we gained foundation status as of June 14, 2023. In the first year after the earthquake, we collected almost €50,000 for the urgent needs in the region and sent them directly to the region. Afterwards, we continued to provide scholarships and school supplies, focusing on the needs of schools and children.
From the Solidarity of Kitchens to the Kitchen of Solidarity
Growing the Solidarity Kitchen: A Journey of Unity and Support
Initially, we rallied dozens of volunteers driven by a shared commitment to solidarity through cooking. Together, we prepared and sold homemade meals and desserts at various markets across the Netherlands. Every donation we collected was directed towards addressing the urgent needs of those affected by the earthquake. Over time, our activities expanded to include festival sales, concert foyer sales, second-hand markets, and charity runs. This diversification helped the concept of kitchen solidarity to blossom and reach a wider audience, evolving into what we now proudly call the Solidarity Kitchen.
In this kitchen of unity, we’ve forged a lasting bridge of solidarity between the Netherlands and Hatay—a bond that we are committed to maintaining indefinitely. Through these efforts, we continue to bring support to those in need, no matter the distance.
Strengthening Our Connection with the Earthquake-Affected Region of Hatay
As our fundraising activities persisted in the Netherlands, our bond with Antakya and Hatay—severely impacted by the earthquakes, with significant destruction—continued to grow stronger. We engaged regularly with NGOs that were not only active in Hatay prior to the earthquakes but also active in Hatay prior to the earthquake and embedded in the social and cultural fabric of this unique place, and others that were newly established by or with the earthquake survivors. These interactions provided us with up-to-date insights into the current conditions and needs of the region.
Additionally, our team members made visits to the earthquake zones, meeting directly with those affected to gather firsthand information and better direct our efforts on the ground. These visits allowed us to establish and deepen connections with various local organizations, NGOs, and volunteers who are integral to our collaborative efforts.
Thanks to these relationships, we have been able to swiftly adapt our projects to meet the evolving needs of the region, thus enhancing our support for earthquake victims in a more organized and effective manner. This has enabled us to deliver targeted aid and build a robust network of support that spans from the Netherlands to Hatay, fostering resilience and recovery.
Evolving into a Structured Organization: The Solidarity Kitchen NL
As participation and interest in our fundraising and charity events grew, we recognized the need for more structured planning. This led to the formation of various committees, pushing us to adopt a more organized manner to extend our influence. These committees, along with their respective teams, have enabled us to take proactive steps in both the Netherlands and Hatay, enhancing the sustainability of our aid efforts.
Stichting Solidarity Kitchen NL
Achieving foundation status on June 14, 2023, marked a significant milestone for us. Now officially operating as the Solidarity Kitchen NL, we continue our efforts uninterrupted and with renewed vigor. Predominantly led by women and founded through their initiatives, our foundation is committed to fostering a spirit of solidarity to beautify and uplift cities affected by earthquake. We remain dedicated to our mission of bringing support and resilience to the regions most affected by adversity.
