Many New Yorkers woke to information of a devastating earthquake that shook elements of Turkey and Syria Monday morning.
The quake, which reportedly lasted for 2 minutes, registered a magnitude of 7.8 and was felt as distant as Egypt and Lebanon, in accordance to studies. It was adopted by a number of aftershocks, together with one which registered 7.5.
As of this writing, at the least 3,000 individuals have died; that toll is anticipated to rise. 1000’s of buildings had been flattened and many individuals stay lacking.
The Turkish president declared it the worst catastrophe in over eight many years.
Firat Cicen, a cashier at A la Turka restaurant on the Higher East Facet, stated he realized the information whereas browsing the web this morning. A Turkish citizen, Cicen frequently checks the information from residence.
He instantly referred to as his family members in Turkey, who had been OK, however had been remaining outdoors their residence — regardless of freezing temperatures outdoors — over considerations about aftershocks.
“Thanks to God,” he stated. “The situation is really bad right now over there.”
Rescue efforts have been more difficult as a result of of snowy climate in the area, and since bridges have collapsed, stated Şenay Ataselim Yılmaz, govt director of Turkish Philanthropy Funds, a nonprofit group primarily based in New York Metropolis.
“It’s a major, major devastation,” she stated.
For New Yorkers wanting to help, listed here are three organizations offering help in Turkey and Syria proper now:
Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF)
Since early Monday morning, TPF has been in touch with ten nonprofit organizations engaged on the floor in Turkey, stated govt director Senay Ataselim Yilmaz. At present, contributions to TPF will go towards serving to rescue individuals from rubble, as greater than 2,000 buildings have reportedly collapsed.
After that, she stated her group will give attention to offering aid and emergency providers for displaced households. You possibly can be taught extra about TPF, and help them, right here. The group was awarded 4 stars – the highest potential rating – on Charity Navigator, a web site that evaluates nonprofit organizations.
Medical doctors with out Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières
On Monday, MSF stated it was assessing the state of affairs, and dealing with native authorities in each Turkey and Syria to “scale up our response accordingly.” The pinnacle of the MSF mission in Syria, Sebastien Homosexual, famous that many individuals in the area had been already struggling after a few years of battle and that “the needs are very high.”
As of early Monday afternoon, MSF had already handled 200 wounded individuals in northern Idlib, Syria. It had additionally donated emergency medical kits and supplied medical employees to 23 well being care amenities in Syria close to the affected space. You possibly can be taught extra, and help the group right here.
Syrian American Medical Society
“We’ve been responding nonstop in Syria,” stated govt director Dr. David Lillie of Syrian American Medical Society, a nonprofit that gives medical care in Syria.
As of Monday afternoon, the group had offering medical aid in practically 40 medical amenities in response to the earthquake. He stated they’d cared for 900 sufferers and anticipated to deal with a whole lot extra. Lillie stated there’s an instantaneous want for trauma provides and staffing.
“This is a critical time for people to survive,” he stated. “The support they need is right now in the next 24 to 48 hours.” You possibly can be taught extra, and help the group, right here.