Your guide to Turkey and Syria earthquake aid

Your Weekly Advisor Update

A Note From Natalie:

All eyes have been on Turkey and Syria in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake that has claimed more than 40,000 lives so far.

While such an overwhelming tragedy can make you feel helpless, even small donations go a long way in bolstering rescue and relief efforts. For people who want to donate, we have a story about how to find highly rated aid organizations (with a few vetted examples) and tips on how to avoid getting scammed.

We’re also keeping an eye on housing. Mortgage interest rates are at their highest level since the 1990s and rent is expected to increase this year.

The national median rent was $1,338 in January, down a few bucks from its peak price of $1,386 in August 2022. But those decreases might not last, says Chris Salviati, senior economist at Apartment List.

“When we look across the 100 largest cities in the U.S., 33 of them already saw price increases in January, up from 10 that saw price increases in December,” Salviati says.

Keep reading for a recap of what the White House is proposing to do about the lack of affordable housing, how to pick the best tax software and which state has the most devoted dog lovers in the country. 

Very best,

Natalie

Natalie Campisi

Senior Staff Writer

Consumer Finance

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Earthquake Relief: How To Donate To Turkey And Syria

Worldwide, organizations and individuals have sent money, supplies and teams of experts to Turkey and Syria as the countries push forward with rescue and rebuilding efforts.

For folks who want to donate, figuring out how and where can take time and effort. And contributing to relief efforts in emergencies is often different from donating to other types of charities, such as food banks. For example, sending clothes or gift cards to a disaster zone where needs can shift daily or hourly can be less effective than sending a cash donation.

Before you donate, it’s essential to know which organizations are reputable, what kind of help is needed and how to avoid getting scammed (disasters provide fertile ground for fraudsters looking to profit off of your goodwill). 

Here we break down everything you need to know about giving to charitable donations helping Turkey and Syria as they continue their rescue and relief operations. 

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