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Uniting for Hope: How Primacorp's $125,000 Donation to GAiN has been Transforming Lives in Syria and Turkey, An Impact Follow-Up

Monday, August 19, 2024

After the devastating earthquakes in February 2023 in Turkey and Syria, Primacorp Ventures Inc. acted swiftly to provide support to the many victims of this catastrophe. Primacorp’s $125,000 donation to Global Aid Network (GAiN) contributed to providing immediate emergency relief in the form of 75 fridges, 1,860 boxes of food, 1,500 hygiene kits, and many other direly needed supplies such as clothing, diapers, blankets and mattresses. 

Primacorp’s Donation Improves Lives of People Affected 

The story about Emir and Adalet exemplifies how Primacorp’s generous donation has directly helped people in the area: Emir and Adalet met in an association for physically differently-abled people. When the earthquake hit their town, their building was severely damaged, and the apartment they lived in was destroyed. They had to seek refuge in the building of the association they had once met. However, it was overcrowded – 1,000 people were sheltering at a place that only has a capacity for about 300 people. 

Since Emir and Adalet use a wheelchair, their mobility in the shelter was significantly limited, especially with the number of people sheltered there. Among other things, it was a struggle for them to use the bathroom. After a mutual friend offered them a temporary space in Ankara, they moved into a tiny house back in their hometown. 

However, due to an unfinished ramp, Emir and Adalet could not access the house and had no means to pay to build one. With Primacorp’s donation, GAiN was able to support Emir and Adalet and pay for the access ramp. 

Primacorp and Gain Provide Everyday Supplies 

“Primacorp’s core values are deeply rooted in supporting communities in times of need. The devastating earthquake in Turkey has profoundly impacted countless lives. Considering this tragedy, we are committed to extending a helping hand to those affected. Providing a temporary respite from the overwhelming circumstances is the least we can do,” said Najib Raie, Vice President, Strategy and Business at Primacorp Ventures. 

GAiN was also able to help many other people in the affected areas. One man from Syria who, about ten years ago, had moved to Turkey to escape the Syrian Civil War, lost his wife and two of his three children in the earthquake. His third child survived, but they were separated amidst the chaos which unfolded after the catastrophe. 

After some weeks' time, he found his daughter with the help of local support workers. Ever since the father reunited with his daughter, GAiN visits both regularly, provides them with basic materials such as beds and pillows, and tries to meet their needs as much as possible. 

Primacorp Supports Communities Across Borders 

These stories serve as examples of how Primacorp’s immediate response to the February 6 earthquake helped save lives and continues to provide support for those people living in the affected areas. With GAin and its other emergency relief partners on the ground, Primacorp is committed to continuing to help those in need. 

Also, in other cases, Primacorp steps up to its Corporate Social Responsibility. When wildfires ravage Jasper and much of Alberta and British Columbia, Primacorp provided evacuees with complimentary accommodations at its Amenida Residences + Hotel Calgary subsidiary.  

Primacorp Ventures Inc. is dedicated to supporting the community through consistent philanthropy efforts. With its four post-secondary colleges, Visual College of Art and DesignCDI CollegeVancouver Career College, and Reeves College, Primacorp Ventures is Canada’s largest independent provider of private post-secondary education. Together with its business divisions in hospitality and healthcare, Primacorp Ventures focuses on changing lives through education, service, and care.

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Calgary, Amenida Residences + Hotel Calgary redefines the concept of accommodation by offering a sanctuary not only to travelers and long-term residents but also extending its warm embrace to refugees seeking safety and comfort. As a cornerstone of the Calgary community, Amenida prides itself on inclusivity and support, offering a unique blend of residential apartments and hotel rooms designed to cater to the diverse needs of all its inhabitants.