Celestyal has partnered with the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), a Turkish government entity established to coordinate post-disaster response and promote cooperation among various government agencies, to provide blankets and sleeping bags to some of the more than one million Turkish residents still homeless after the earthquake. The quake killed more than 50,000 people and caused widespread destruction, leaving many without shelter or basic supplies.
The blankets and sleeping bags were transported aboard the Celestyal Crystal on its first voyage of the season, which included a stop in Kusadasi, Turkey. In addition, Celestyal will donate a portion of the proceeds from shore excursions in Turkey to relief efforts. Celestyal is one of the few cruise lines that regularly call at Turkey.
“Celestyal has been taking our guests to visit the city of Kusadasi and the ruins of nearby Ephesus for many years. As a result, we have a strong connection with Turkey and its people, and we were devastated when we learned of the terrible earthquake just a month ago,” said Chris Theophilides, CEO. “A key part of Celestyal’s DNA is being responsible corporate citizens of the places we visit and supporting the people who call them home. The least we could do was lend a hand to our Turkish friends in need. We can only hope that our donation of supplies will help in this enormous humanitarian effort that is so desperately needed in this part of the world.”
