Our family has created this private fundraiser in response to the incredibly generous requests from our closest friends and loved ones to support our relatives who have been devastated by the February 6th earthquake.

Our family home was destroyed after another apartment building collapsed on it, and those relatives living inside had to be rescued from under the rubble. Several others have also become homeless while trying to now manage without heat in one of the harshest winters the region has seen. Most tragically, many family members remain missing and while our prayers are steadfast, we have begun to accept their potential loss.

We do not have the words to express both our sorrow from these events and our gratitude to those praying and thinking of us. It is a blessing to have such love surrounding us.

The funds we collect will go directly to our impacted relatives. Anything remaining will be handed directly to trusted groups we know well who are doing amazing work on the ground in both countries.

Thank you again, we are incredibly touched and grateful for your friendship.

With love,

The Ismail Family

Information about the earthquake:

On February 6th, 2023, at 4.17 am local time, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck. A powerful second earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitudes struck at 1.24 pm local time. The impacted area is estimated to be over 650 miles across. Over 7,800 beautiful lives have been lost, and this number is rising by the minute. Thousands are missing and trapped beneath destroyed buildings. The World Health Organisation expects that the death toll could surpass 20,000 people and that 23 million people - including 1.4 million children - are likely to have been affected.