ULM, Germany – Throughout February, military and civilian personnel from all nations of the Wilhelmsburg Barracks-based Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC) collects money to support the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye on 6 February.
What remains is hope that our small contribution can make a difference and alleviate the immeasurable suffering at least a little
The destructive quakes in Türkiye and Syria caused disastrous destruction and took the life of over 47,000 people. Villages and entire cities were destroyed and numerous people are left without shelter in the freezing winter month.
The disaster relief efforts now run at full speed and require donations. During JSEC’s most recent Senior National Representative meeting the proposal was presented to support an aid organization that helps with the rescue and treatment of victims in NATO Ally Türkiye.
Therefore JSEC, highly endorsed by its Commander, Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, started collecting donations to provide financial support.
Assistant Chief of Staff Personnel, Colonel (GS) Martin Reitmaier, and his men and women are responsible for the fundraiser and also supports it personally (Photo: OF-2 Simon Hofmann)
In addition to collecting money, a second campaign was also launched. Donations in kind of urgently needed nature (e.g. sleeping bags and winter jackets) were collected.
Donation boxes were placed at several spots throughout the Wilhelmsburg Barracks and will remain set up until the end of February. Afterwards the donations will be transferred to the organization “Ärzte der Welt e.V.” which was explicitly recommended for this purpose by the German Foreign Affairs Office.
This humanitarian act reflects JSEC´s core values of humanity and international unity. Especially in difficult times like these JSEC stands in strong solidarity with its Ally Türkiye.
Assistant Chief of Staff Personnel, Colonel Martin Reitmaier directed the donation campaign and emphasizes its importance:
“What remains is hope that our small contribution can make a difference and alleviate the immeasurable suffering at least a little. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this especially challenging times. NATO always stands together.”