Turkish-Canadians living in B.C. are scrambling to offer aid to the victims of a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked a region near the Turkish-Syrian border on Monday.
The latest death toll has soared above 6,200, with thousands more injured. Turkish authorities said more than 8,000 people have been pulled from the debris in Turkey, and around 380,000 have taken refuge in shelters or hotels. Many are still missing and believed to be trapped in rubble.
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News of the powerful earthquake reached B.C. and Canada Sunday night and local communities here quickly mobilized to help with relief and recovery operations.
In Ottawa, the federal government had said it will contribute $10 million to earthquake relief efforts as part of an initial aid package.
British Columbians wanting to help can donate to humanitarian agencies, local causes, or help spread the word.
In Vancouver, volunteers have set up a sorting and distribution centre at 580 Industrial Avenue to collect and pack donations for victims of the earthquake.
Alex Bilgin, president of the Richmond-based Canadian Turkish Education and Cultural Foundation, said the outpouring of support has been amazing.
“There were literally 200 people helping here from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. (on Monday),” he said. Volunteers packed more than 500 boxes in eight hours, and those boxes will be among others shipped to Turkey on a flight departing Tuesday evening. Turkish Airlines had said it will transport the donations to Turkey for free.
“We’re 10,000 miles away, this is the best we can do, trying to send as much as we can,” said Bilgin.
The conditions in the quake-ravaged region are “horrible,” he said. “We’ve never seen anything like this before. It’s winter time. It’s so cold so we are putting in as priority items like blankets, winter stuff, warm pants, anything that can help.”
Based on feedback from organizations at the front-lines of the earthquake response, there is an urgent need for:
Heaters
Blankets
Linen sets
Pillows
Food parcels
Hygiene sets
Feminine hygiene sets
Clean clothes
Clean baby clothes
Camping gear; sleeping bags
Baby food
Power banks
Winter boots and coats
Scarves, beanies, gloves
Canned Foods
Donations can be dropped off at 580 Industrial Avenue until Feb. 22. Vancouver from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Other locations include:
#602- 13438 Central Avenue, Surrey, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
UBC Nest in front of room 3302E (third floor), 4-6 p.m.
The Canadian Red Cross has launched an appeal to help people impacted by the quake.
Money raised will allow the Red Cross Red Crescent to provide relief, recovery efforts, and resiliency and preparedness activities in the impacted and surrounding area, it said.
Canadians who want to make donation can do so online at Canadians wishing to make a donation to the Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria Appeal can do so online or by calling 1-800-418-1111.
Islamic Relief Canada, a registered Canadian charity, has launched its Turkiye Syria Earthquake Appeal to collect funds for victims.
About $130 can provide cash for a family to purchase basic essentials, it said, while 275 can provide two families with emergency shelter.
The organization said it has teams on the ground, and will be providing medical supplies to local hospitals and are making preparations to provide emergency food and shelter support.
If you know of a B.C.-based fundraiser or initiative to collect donations for victims of the Turkey-Syria earthquake, email us at vantips@postmedia.com
chchan@postmedia.com
twitter.com/cherylchan