Updates on Feb 14: Current donations have been transferred to Turkey and are being used per needs on the ground. With the donation collected from this campaign:

Food supplies were delivered to 60 families of earthquake survivors who took refuge in the Eruh district.

The charity is sending these boxes (food supply) to Malatya and Kahramanmaraş. More boxes are being prepared for another delivery.

EruhDer wants to convey the gratitude of the earthquake victims to the donors who helped them. Thank You!

Original post:

I am Hidayet, speaking from California, and I am still processing the news of the earthquake in Kahramanmaras. Luckily my immediate family is safe but have relatives who have lost their homes and are now living in tents in Dörtyol, others who are seeking refuge in shelters without heat in Gaziantep, and family friends who are still trapped beneath the rubble in Iskenderun.

This is just what I learned from a call with my father, and he showed me it snows now there.

Given the magnitude and widespread impact of the earthquake, it is unlikely that any single organization can provide support to all affected communities. The affected area is enormous, spanning approximately 300 miles by 180 miles, an area as large as the state of Florida. Reflecting on my own experience with the Istanbul earthquake in 1998, I remember the substantial impact that aid had in such situations. To do my part, I reached out to my cousin who sits on the board of a local charity. They are now working to secure the necessary materials and deliver them directly to those who are in need [1]. The list goes as:

- Winter Boots and Coats

- Flashlight and Battery

- Sleeping bag

- Cadir -Pillow

- Blanket

- Diapers

- Hygiene Supplies

- Sanitary pad

- Liquid Soap-Wet Wipes

- Food Supplies

- Cleaning equipment

- Clothing Materials

- Heaters

Please consider donating today to support this local charity effort that delivers donations directly. All money will be used to buy the essentials listed above, I will be coordinating this and it will be directly delivered to those in need by the charity. The charity primarily focuses on Gaziantep and Hatay cities.

Please be aware that there are multiple fundraising efforts underway, including those matched by benevity.org. EruhDer is a registered charity in Turkey, but it is not registered as such in the United States. As a result, donations made to EruhDer may not be tax-deductible. If you prioritize tax deductions, I suggest that you donate to charities listed on benevity.org and inquire about potential matching from your company. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me directly.

Take care and know that we all belong to the same world and when it does not feel like that, we can rebuild it that way.

[1] https://www.facebook.com/eruhder/posts/513806757601649

My name is: Hidayet Aksu

Charity Name: İSTANBUL ERUHLULAR DERNEĞİ (ERUHDER)

Address: Zeyrek Mahallesi itfaye caddesi çinili saray apt. No : 47 /1 Fatih İstanbul