By: Leonard Parker
Chicago-area group raises funds for displaced people in Turkey after earthquake
Thousands of buildings and homes are destroyed and families are sleeping on the streets in freezing temperatures, snow and freezing rain.
CHICAGO – Less than 24 hours after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and dozens of aftershocks shook southeastern Turkey, a Chicago-area group is raising funds for displaced people.
“The roads are all cracked and it’s winter. There is no way to reach the people and save them. It’s been 24 hours and there are still people under the collapsed buildings,” said Ridvan Bolgi of the Illinois Kurdish Cultural Center co-president.
Turkey reports that it was only able to reach 15 to 20 percent of the six million people affected by the quake.
Thousands of buildings and houses were destroyed and families had to sleep on the streets in sub-zero temperatures, snow and freezing rain.
“It is surprising that the Turkish government has not declared a state of emergency and deployed its army. [The] The Turkish army is one of the largest armies in NATO,” Bolgi said.
Also read: Turkey earthquake donation: Chicago groups raise funds, medical aid for victims in Turkey, Syria
In addition to the US, Israel and several European nations have pledged to send aid.
“The President authorized an immediate US response in addition to the US personnel currently on the ground. We are in the process of deploying additional teams to support Turkey’s search and rescue efforts,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
The Kurdish Center of Illinois accepts donations through Paypal and Zelle, all of which are sent to official disaster relief organizations in Turkey and Syria.
