Supermarkets are rallying to support those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
At least 21,000 people were killed when the earthquake ripped through the region in the early hours of 6 February. Thousands have been injured and millions left without permanent shelter.
Sainsbury’s is pledging £500,000 towards the appeal.
Half – £250,000 – is to Comic Relief, a long-standing charity partner of the supermarket. The other £250,000 will support the British Red Cross.
Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and the Co-op have all donated £100,000 each to various charities working in the disaster area.
Tesco said it also wanted to make it easier for customers to donate, either by donating their Clubcard points, or by donating directly to the Red Cross via an online portal set up by the retailer. From tomorrow, it will give customers the option to round up the cost of their shopping to the nearest pound and donate the difference to the Red Cross.
Asda said it was working with suppliers of its George clothing and homeware business to help organise shelter for those left without homes.
“We stand with our fellow retailers and businesses in offering our support to the humanitarian effort and are proud to work with Unicef as they provide critical aid on the ground,” said Asda co-owner Mohsin Issa. “I also applaud our colleagues and supply partners in Turkey, who are opening their factories to provide shelter at this terrible time.”
Some retailers are choosing to donate via The Sun newspaper’s Earthquake Appeal, which was launched Monday, shortly after news of the disaster emerged. All funds are being put towards the Red Cross to aid the relief effort on the ground, including the distribution of blankets and the construction of temporary shelters.
Iceland executive chairman Richard Walker tweeted on 8 February that the retailer’s charitable foundation had donated towards The Sun’s appeal. The Sun reported the amount totalled £50,000.
Iceland executive chairman Richard Walker tweeted on 8 February that the retailer’s charitable foundation had donated towards The Sun’s appeal. The Sun reported the amount totalled £50,000.
Marks and Spencer and Ocado have donated the same amount to the Red Cross. Ocado said it would help to provide “emergency first aid, medicine, shelter, clothes and other vital support to those most in need”.
Schwarz Group, the owner of discounter Lidl, said it had collectively donated €1m towards relief efforts. “To ensure that the aid reaches those impacted as quickly as possible, the donation is being made to the Red Cross to support their crisis response operations,” a spokeswoman said.
Aldi has also pledged €500,000 (£442,000) towards the relief efforts.
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