More than a million residents in Turkey remain homeless owing to the disaster, which resulted in more than 50,000 deaths and has left countless people without shelter or basic supplies.
Brings blankets and sleeping bags to Turkey
The operation to bring bedding was carried out during the ship’s first call of the season at Kusadasi, Turkey on March 17. In order to deliver the emergency aid, Celestyal Cruises partnered with the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, a Turkish government entity established to coordinate the post-disaster response and to promote cooperation among various government agencies.
Donating funds from shore excursions
In addition, the line will donate a portion of revenues from shore excursions in Turkey to the relief effort. Celestyal is scheduled to call regularly in Turkey. ‘Celestyal has been bringing our guests to visit the city of Kusadasi and the magnificent ruins of nearby Ephesus for many years now,’ commented CEO Chris Theophilides. ‘As a result, we have a strong bond with Turkey and its people, and we were devastated when news broke of the horrific earthquake only a month ago.
He added, ‘A strong part of Celestyal’s DNA is to be responsible corporate citizens of the places we visit and to support the people who call these places home. The least we could do is to lend a helping hand to our Turkish friends in need.
‘We can only hope that our donation of supplies will help with this huge humanitarian effort that is so desperately needed in this part of the world.’
Global Ports Holding, Miray Cruises and MSC Group are among the other operators supporting the relief effort.
