Turks in European countries mobilized to help earthquake victims

After the earthquakes of magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6, with an epicenter in Kahramanmaraş, which affected 10 provinces in total, both consulates and non-governmental organizations launched aid campaigns to help the victims.

HOLLAND

It has been possible to know that so far more than 4 million euros of aid have been raised in the campaigns launched in the Netherlands.

While €1.5 million was raised in the relief campaign initiated by the Dutch Religious Foundation (HDV), it was announced that emergency material aid would be accepted at some HDV-affiliated mosques.

In addition, it was reported that approximately 500 thousand euros were raised in the campaign launched by the Hasene Welfare Association of the Netherlands, 380 thousand euros in the campaign of the Dutch Turkish Volunteer Foundation and 2 million euros in the Dutch Red Cross campaign.

ENGLAND

The aid collected by the Turks residing in England, who wanted to help the victims of the earthquake, in the Aziziye Mosque in London, exceeded 10 tons.

The mosque hall, located in Dalston, north London, soon became a frequent destination for citizens wanting to help earthquake victims.

The main imam of the mosque, Ebu Bekir Tezgel, said that the room, which has a quota of about 10 tons, and the truck that will be loaded with relief materials, are full and they have sent the newly arrived relief materials to other institutions and associations that collect aid in the region, since the quota is full.

Tezgel stated that the Aziziye Mosque Foundation has a sterling account for those who want to donate in cash, noting that donations made here will be given to those in need through AFAD, the Turkish Red Crescent and the Diyanet Foundation.

GREECE

Greece’s ruling New Democracy Party and its Youth Branch have launched a campaign to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.

Within the framework of the campaign, a call was made to collect essential items such as baby food, cereals, preserves, as well as blankets and bedding.

The Greek Basketball Federation announced that its departments decided to help the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.

Many municipalities, especially the Greek Red Cross, the Anti-Workers’ Front Union (PAME), the municipalities of Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Patra, launched similar campaigns.

The Istanbul Universal Federation of Greeks also announced that it would launch a blood donation drive on Saturday in cooperation with the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

FINLAND

Finland announced that it will provide 1 million euros in support to Turkey and Syria, which were affected by the earthquake.

In the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, it was noted that the aid in question would be sent through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

He specified that the support will be used to provide food, shelter, medical supplies and psychosocial support to people who have lost their homes in the two countries.

SPAIN

In Spain, the Turkish Embassy in Madrid and the General Consulate in Barcelona also launched aid campaigns for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey.

As soon as the campaign to help those affected by the earthquake was announced, Turkish citizens in Madrid delivered the packages they had prepared at the Turkish Airlines (THY) office.

Announcing that it will send earthquake aid free of charge, THY will gradually deliver the collected aid to Turkey.

The Embassy also shared the links of the campaigns launched by AFAD, Kızılay and the Turkish Religious Foundation for earthquake relief.

On the other hand, the Turks carry out similar extensive aid campaigns in Italy, Austria and Germany.

GERMANY

Turks living in Berlin, the capital of Germany, continue their relief campaigns for the victims of the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş.

A large number of volunteers work intensively in the aid collection centers established in various parts of the city.

Volunteers go through and sort items like blankets, coats and shoes brought in by philanthropists.

After sorting, the emergency aid material is packaged for shipment to Turkey.

Fırat Şaşkakan, one of the volunteers, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that they were sorry and did their best to help Turkey at the wedding hall where the aid was collected.

Stating that he was very sorry for the loss of life in the earthquake, Şaşkakan said, “My heart was burning. I thought of all my compatriots. I am very sad. We are all Turks. We are strong when we are together.” saying.

Derya Polat, who works as a private trainer, also said that she came to the aid collection center to help during her one-hour break from her work and said, “This is all we can do. When we all join hands, of course there is great power.” he said.

Polat, wishing God’s strength and patience to the earthquake victims in Turkey, said: “I hope we can overcome this bad period in a short time. We are all very sorry. The people abroad are with the people in Turkey, our nation. Hopefully we get through these days too.” he used the phrase.

Gökçe Kozludere, who has lived in Berlin for three years, stated that his friends are trying to communicate with their relatives in Turkey, saying: “We pack up the collected donations. We are currently making a list. That’s all we can do.” she made the statement.

Explaining that they came together to help Turkey thanks to social media, Kozludere said:

“(Victims of the earthquake) You are not alone. We are here, our hearts are always with them. Help will come soon. Our prayers are also with them. Just be strong.”

Humanitarian volunteer Oya Salman also stated that Turkish citizens in Berlin are united in order to help their brothers in Turkey.

Salman said: “What we are experiencing is not a good thing. We have friends and acquaintances there. We are waiting for news from them in front of the TV. We are watching with tears.” he said.

Addressing the earthquake survivors in Turkey, Salman said: “Don’t let them be demoralized. Our government is behind them. Their brothers here are behind them. We will do everything we can to help.” he sent the message from him.

Barış Cemalettin Bekler, who organizes relief activities and runs a restaurant in Berlin, also stated that after receiving the news of the earthquake, they asked the earthquake victims in Turkey for help.

Bekler said: “Our nation also flocked to the aid yesterday, under attack. We never expected so much. Much more help arrived than we expected.” saying.

Expressing that as Turks in Berlin they did and will continue to do everything possible, Bekler said: “Our state has a lot of experience in this regard. I believe that we will also overcome this earthquake disaster.” he performed the assessment of it. (AA)