Turkey Earthquake Crisis brings Nijmeh to Lead International Humanitarian Relief Tour
Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh heading to Türkiye to deliver supplies and relief.
SAN FRANCISCO—The crisis in Türkiye following massive earthquake activity cannot be understated as efforts to recover and rebuild will take decades. The rising death toll and displacement results from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, followed by a 7.6 tremor and 100 aftershocks of 4 and greater. Official reports count nearly 50,000. Esquire featured photos from the aftermath here.
Bay Area businesswoman Charlene Nijmeh, who founded Green Education Foundation and 7th Generation Recycling, says her company’s operations in Istanbul were not impacted by the earthquake, but workers and their families lost loved ones in the region.
The environmental foundation Green Education Foundation founded by Nijmeh in 2012 is providing food, supplies and blankets to towns and villages devastated by the earthquake. The foundation similarly provided relief aid in Ukraine following Putin’s lawless invasion of the sovereign nation, totaling 300,000 pounds of clothing, jackets, blankets and supplies.
“We must move together to help provide aid to the people of Türkiye,” said Nijmeh. “We are starting one of multiple relief tours to the region this coming week and will be returning later in the year. My hope is that others in the Bay Area will join in the humanitarian cause of providing aid to the suffering people of Türkiye. The Bay Area is home to immense wealth and privilege, when we see needless suffering both at home and abroad we ought to do something about it.”
Nijmeh’s international work and relief programs are rooted in her values of goodwill and justice. Nijmeh is the chairwoman of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, whose native homelands span the Bay Area.
“My people survived genocide and lawless colonialism by staying together. We know what it takes to band together and help those in need,” added Nijmeh. “We just recognized International Women’s Day, and I think about the mothers, the daughters, their loved ones… we need to do more for people in need. Everywhere you look you can see needless suffering, people barely surviving, when we have the resources, truly, to alleviate these societal issues to ensure people are thriving.”
About Green Education Foundation
Green Education Foundation is a 501C3 public charity organization focused on supporting and promoting green education in our schools. By placing Donation & Recycling drop off stations at various sites within our communities, we are able to divert landfill waste, as well, collect used but still usable items for sale. The proceeds generated are used to support the schools directly as well as support our green ecology / conservation programs for the schools.
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