Devastated Turkish Earthquake Victims

Hi To all my friends, family, and anyone wishing to help.

As everyone knows by now, on February 6th, a massive earthquake hit Turkey and Syria. My immediate family was all safe in Istanbul, but I soon found out that my aunt Rabia and uncle Cafer were killed in the earthquake. Their two-story house collapsed and they died almost immediately. They had just had a late dinner with their son the night before the quake but declined to stay overnight, saying they preferred to sleep in their own bed.

Their two sons (my cousins), Samed and Sedat, also lost their homes and all their belongings when their apartment building was destroyed. Samed's wife and two kids had to jump out a second-story window to escape. The two children had compound leg fractures and his wife broke her back from the fall. All three are in the hospital now, and although they have a long road ahead of them, the doctors say they will recover and, god willing, eventually walk again. They all are waiting for the government to provide them with tents to sleep in. My aunt and uncle were buried in simple shallow makeshift graves like so many in the region.

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we helped raise direct donations for earthquake relief. We have donated winter clothes, blankets, baby supplies, and money to the local Turkish community center. We've also worked with friends to do the same.

Today, we are raising money to help my cousins get back on their feet. They lost their homes and all their belongings. These are dark and desperate days for many in the area. There is a long road ahead to rebuild their lives. They are both planning on leaving the region and settling in a new city as there is very little left of their small towns. They have to rebuild their lives from scratch, and I want to help them with some financial support.

The funds raised here will help them

Nothing will replace their loss but we can help them restart their lives. Thank you for anything that you can do to help. Dave, Selin, Sena, and I really appreciate it.

--Figen