PROJECT CATE
Help the Child Amputees of Earthquakes in Türkiye
On February 6, 2023, two powerful earthquakes struck southern Türkiye—leaving behind devastation on a heartbreaking scale. Thousands of lives were lost. Entire communities were shattered. And among the survivors were children who faced unthinkable trauma: losing not just their homes, but also their limbs—and their sense of safety.
From Emergency Relief to Lifelong Support
In the weeks that followed, as the focus shifted from urgent aid to long-term recovery, Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF) joined forces with a dedicated group of Turkish-American doctors to launch the Child Amputees of the Türkiye Earthquake (CATE) project.
Beyond being a medical response, this was a promise to stand by these children for the long haul.
Through a strong partnership between U.S.- and Türkiye-based medical teams, CATE helped bring about a comprehensive care network. In Türkiye, this effort evolved into the Çocuk İyilik Merkezi (Child Wellnes Center), a place where children receive critical medical services like prosthetics, physical therapy, and trauma-informed emotional care. Today, the Child Wellness Center is supported by many stakeholders including BTF, Turkish Philanthropy Funds, Çukurova University, Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation, Turkish Union of Banks, Assembly of Turkish American Associations, and others.
Fueled by compassion and a deep sense of solidarity, the Turkish-American diaspora stepped up in an extraordinary way. More than 250 grassroots fundraising events were organized across the U.S., and together, we raised over $1 million for the CATE Project.
Your support has made it possible to provide:
- Prosthetic limbs and long-term medical care
- Education scholarships to help children stay in school and build toward their futures until the age of 21
- Ongoing physical and emotional wellness programs to help them heal—inside and out
Through CATE, we’re not just helping children walk again, but we’re also walking every step of the way with them. With your help, we can keep showing up for them—with the care, dignity, and hope they deserve.
Support the CATE Project today and help rebuild young lives in Türkiye!
