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Hayata Destek Dernegi

Hayata Destek Dernegi is a humanitarian organization founded in 2005, with a mission to support communities affected by disasters and ensure access to basic rights and needs.
Hayata Destek Dernegi
Leadership team

Emel Sensezgin Mergen (Chairman of the Board of Directors)

INCI AYLIN GEZGÜÇ (Member of the Board of Directors)

DERYA MUTLU (Member of the Board of Directors)

ALPER INVENTION (Member of the Board of Directors)

SEMA GENERAL KARAOSMANOGLU (Member of the Board of Directors)

Headquarters
Kadiköy, Istanbul
Type
Food, Shelters and Essentials
Region served
Turkey, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Bangladesh
Year stablished
2005
Address
Yildiz Mh., Cenap ?ehabettin Sk. No:42, Kadiköy, Istanbul 34718, TR
Social Media
Summary

Hayata Destek Dernegi is a humanitarian organization founded in 2005, with a mission to support communities affected by disasters and ensure access to basic rights and needs. The foundation operates a range of programs and initiatives, including Emergency Assistance, Refugee Support, Child Protection, Civil Society Empowerment, and Coordination activities, to provide aid to those in need.

Hayata Destek Dernegi operates with the principles of humanity, non-discrimination, impartiality, independence, and accountability to ensure that its programs and initiatives are effective, sustainable, and make a meaningful impact on the communities it serves. The foundation is committed to promoting social justice, human rights, and equality, and works to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable individuals and communities have access to education, healthcare, and social support.

History

The Support to Life Association (Hayata Destek Derne?i in Turkish) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that was founded in 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey. The organization was established with the aim of providing humanitarian aid and promoting sustainable development in various parts of the world.

The founders of Support to Life Association were a group of volunteers who had experience in disaster relief and humanitarian aid. They initially started their work in the aftermath of the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, providing assistance to the affected communities.

The organization has since expanded its operations to other parts of the world, including Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Bangladesh. Support to Life Association has been particularly active in responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Syrian conflict, providing assistance to refugees and displaced persons in the region.

The organization's activities include providing emergency relief such as food, shelter, and medical aid to those affected by disasters and conflicts, as well as longer-term development programs that focus on education, health, and livelihoods.

Over the years, Support to Life Association has received several awards and recognitions for its work, including the Humanitarian Award from the Turkish Red Crescent in 2007, and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce's Social Responsibility Award in 2014.

Today, the organization continues to work towards its mission of promoting sustainable development and providing humanitarian aid to those in need, with a focus on empowering communities and building resilience in the face of crises.

Goals and Purpose

The main goals and purposes of the Support to Life Association (Hayata Destek Derne?i) are:

To provide humanitarian aid and assistance to people affected by disasters, conflicts, and crises, with a focus on the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and the elderly: One of the main goals of the Support to Life Association is to provide emergency relief and assistance to people affected by disasters, conflicts, and crises. This includes providing essential items such as food, water, shelter, and medical aid. The organization places a special focus on the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and the elderly, who are often the most affected by disasters and conflicts.

To promote sustainable development by implementing long-term programs that focus on education, health, and livelihoods: In addition to providing emergency relief, the Support to Life Association also aims to promote sustainable development through long-term programs. These programs focus on areas such as education, health, and livelihoods, with the goal of improving the long-term well-being of communities.

To support and empower communities to build resilience and cope with the impact of disasters and conflicts: The organization aims to support and empower communities to build resilience and cope with the impact of disasters and conflicts. This includes providing training and resources that help communities to better prepare for disasters, as well as supporting initiatives that help communities to recover and rebuild after a disaster or conflict.

To advocate for the rights of refugees, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups, and to raise awareness about the humanitarian consequences of conflicts and crises: The Support to Life Association is committed to advocating for the rights of refugees, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups. This includes raising awareness about the humanitarian consequences of conflicts and crises, and working to ensure that the needs and rights of these groups are met.

To work in partnership with local organizations and communities, and to promote local ownership and participation in all aspects of its programs: The organization recognizes the importance of working in partnership with local organizations and communities, and promoting local ownership and participation in all aspects of its programs. This approach helps to build stronger and more sustainable communities, and ensures that the organization's programs are responsive to the specific needs and priorities of the communities they serve.

Impact

Capacity Building:
The Support to Life Association is committed to promoting sustainable development and empowering communities to build resilience. As part of this goal, the organization has implemented a range of capacity-building programs that provide education and training to individuals and communities. For example, the organization has provided vocational training to over 5,000 people, helping them to acquire skills and improve their employment prospects. These training programs have focused on areas such as tailoring, carpentry, and computer skills. In addition, the organization has conducted disaster risk reduction trainings, benefiting over 3,500 people in high-risk areas. These trainings help communities to better prepare for disasters and reduce the impact of future disasters. Finally, the organization has provided education on reproductive health and family planning to over 6,000 people, promoting better health outcomes and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their lives.

Child Protection:
The Support to Life Association recognizes the unique vulnerabilities that children face in conflict and crisis situations. As part of its commitment to protecting the rights of children, the organization has established a range of child protection services. These services include establishing child-friendly spaces in refugee camps and conflict-affected areas, benefiting over 2,500 children. These spaces provide a safe and supportive environment for children to play, learn, and recover from trauma. In addition, the organization has provided child protection services to over 4,000 children affected by conflict and displacement. These services include psychosocial support, case management, and referrals to other services as needed. Finally, the organization has conducted training for caregivers and teachers on child protection, benefiting over 1,000 people. These trainings help to ensure that adults are equipped to identify and respond to child protection concerns.

Emergency Aid and Response:
The Support to Life Association is committed to providing emergency aid and response to people affected by disasters, conflicts, and crises. The organization has established emergency response teams that can quickly respond to disasters and provide essential assistance to affected communities. For example, the organization has provided emergency aid and response to over 150,000 people affected by disasters, conflicts, and crises. This aid includes distributing essential items such as food, water, shelter, and medical aid. In addition, the organization has established a rapid response mechanism that can be activated in the event of a disaster or crisis. This mechanism ensures that the organization can quickly assess the needs of affected communities and provide the necessary assistance.

Refugee Support:
The Support to Life Association has played a critical role in supporting refugees in Turkey. The organization has provided assistance with shelter, food, and healthcare to over 70,000 refugees in Turkey. In addition, the organization has provided legal assistance to over 1,500 refugees, helping them to access their rights and legal protections. This includes assistance with applications for asylum and other forms of legal status. Finally, the organization has conducted psychosocial support activities for over 5,000 refugees, helping them to cope with the trauma and stress of displacement. These activities include group therapy, individual counseling, and other forms of support. Through these efforts, the Support to Life Association has played a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of society.

References
Hayata Destek Dernegi
Leadership team

Emel Sensezgin Mergen (Chairman of the Board of Directors)

INCI AYLIN GEZGÜÇ (Member of the Board of Directors)

DERYA MUTLU (Member of the Board of Directors)

ALPER INVENTION (Member of the Board of Directors)

SEMA GENERAL KARAOSMANOGLU (Member of the Board of Directors)

Headquarters
Kadiköy, Istanbul
Type
Food, Shelters and Essentials
Region served
Turkey, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Bangladesh
Year stablished
2005
Address
Yildiz Mh., Cenap ?ehabettin Sk. No:42, Kadiköy, Istanbul 34718, TR
Social Media