On Monday, February 6th, a massive earthquake struck southern and central Turkey as well as parts of western Syria. With a magnitude of 7.8, the earthquake has claimed the lives of over 12,000 people and injuring 56,000 more; those numbers will only increase as recovery efforts continue throughout the region.
In the wake of the tragedy, coffee companies around Turkey are finding ways to aid in the humanitarian crisis, and you can get involved too.
With millions of individuals displaced, significant relief efforts are going to be required in the coming days and weeks, and to that end Etkin is donating all profits from sales this week. The Etkin Dripper, a Sprudgie Finalist for the Best New Product this year, is the work of SCA instructor and American expat living in Istanbul Michael Butterworth. For the rest of this week, all profits from purchases of the large format flat-bottom pour-over device via the Etkin website will be donated.
“We are proud that the Etkin Dripper was invented, designed, and manufactured entirely in Turkiye. We are heartbroken by the earthquakes that have devastated southeastern Turkiye, including our cofounder’s hometown of Adana,” Butterworth tells Sprudge. “Thousands of people have lost their lives. Millions have been displaced. This week we will be donating all profits from our webstore to aid in the ongoing relief efforts.“
Butterworth goes on to note that anyone looking to assist can donate money directly to the Turkish Philanthropy Funds‘ Turkiye Earthquake Relief Fund.
Elsewhere, coffee brands are using their resources and infrastructure to aid survivors and first responders. The Turkish chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association is working to get much-needed supplies into effected areas while also working with Niji Coffee—a roaster in Gaziantep near the epicenter—to get coffee out to the first responders. And per Butterworth, La Marzocco Turkey is working with local authorities to provide their trucks and warehouses for the disaster relief efforts.
The work to help survivors is just beginning, and there is a long road ahead. As aid and fundraising efforts take shape in the coming days and weeks around the globe, we will update this article with more ways to get involved. In the mean time, consider treating yourself to a new pour-over device or donating directly to to the Turkiye Earthquake Relief Fund.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
