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Old Boys supporting Türkiye
Friday, 17 February 2023
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Miles Armitage (OKG81), the Australian Ambassador to Türkiye, who is coordinating assistance for Australians following the devastating earthquakes, sent a note of thanks in response to an email Rob Johnson sent to Miles on behalf of the Association. With Miles’ permission, we are circulating his reply to share a little of his experience. You will note his suggestion as the best way to offer support to the people of Türkiye and north-west Syria affected by the disaster is for donations via the link below. Reply from Miles Armitage (OKG81) 13/2/2023 Many thanks to you [Rob Johnson] and your OKGA committee colleagues for your kind email and for the item on the earthquakes in Türkiye in Friday’s OKGA news. It was an appalling week for Türkiye and north-west Syria. People are shocked and grief stricken. Everybody has a family member or knows someone that has been affected in some way by the earthquakes. The support from around the world and from Australia, Federal and State governments and members of the public has been uplifting and much appreciated. Yesterday I was heartened to meet on arrival the Australian Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), mostly drawn from the NSW Fire and Rescue Service. They are a multidisciplinary team, which has a lot of capacity to help people in Türkiye put their lives back together. In terms of what the OKGA and its members can do to help, I will give some thought to specific projects that could be supported but, in the meantime, I think the advice contained in the OKGA news to provide cash donations through ACFID accredited organisations remains valid. Once again thank you for the expressions of concern and solidarity. Kind regards Miles Armitage How you can help To donate, please visit the Australian Council for International Aid Development (ACFID) website. |