By: Lydia Tesfaye, Kristyna Ramirez, Marcela Carrillo, and Noah Meadows
Disaster struck southeast of Turkey, close to the border with Syria, early February as a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred, causing the combined rising death toll of 47,000 people, according to U.S. News.
Two weeks later, the region was fatally struck again with a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, leaving thousands of families homeless and in complete distress.
Courtesy of CNN Newsource
In an AP News article, it states that the United States is taking action by “coordinating immediate assistance to NATO-member Turkey.”
NATO is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that was founded in 1949, which forms a security alliance to its members in North America and Europe. The article also mentions that around 1,000 Los Angeles County firefighters, engineers, and specially trained dogs were sent to assist with rescue efforts.
About 25 miles south from Los Angeles, Long Beach State biochemistry student, John Ercetin, 21, is planning to run a charity event for the survivors. Ercetin teamed up with the Associated Students, Inc. (A.S.I.) and the Muslim Students Association (M.S.A.) to coordinate all needs necessary for the event to occur.
Ercetin wishes to shine light on the negligence towards the construction companies that established the buildings that have collapsed, which hold an enormous responsibility on why so many people have died. Hundreds of thousands of buildings collapsed, according to AP News, leaving many individuals who sought shelter trapped in the rubble.
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says that around 1.6 million people have been accommodated in temporary shelters. “This needs to be actually known because we need to hold these people (construction companies) accountable,” said Ercetin in a stressed tone. “We can’t just let this pass without punishments.”
Ercetin is from Istanbul, Turkey, so the terrifying earth tremor hit close to home, he says. Although he doesn’t have family out there during this time of distress, he says that two of his friends were in Hatay and Kahramanmaras when the earthquake occurred.
“I saw their names in the toll,” said Ercetin in a troubled voice. “So, I’m still hoping that it’s not them. I’m just keeping, you know, the small amount of hope I have.” He mentioned how his friends were also students at Long Beach State, and that’s how they met. The last time they spoke was year ago when the two were going to Germany for work. “I’m not too sure what they’re doing now, but I just hope the best for them,” said Ercetin.
Ercetin’s goal in his charity event is to supply the proper charities and organizations that can help. He says that Turkey and Syria are getting lots of aid as in food and hygiene, so their focus is leaning more towards monetary aid to help reconstruct buildings.
One of the major obstacles that Ercetin has encountered is from the supply centers. He contacted one of the officials and mentioned that they’ve been extremely busy getting the resources that are needed, but they’re still short on tents, generators, blankets, and advanced medical supplies.
Ercetin is trying to team up with more university members to spread the word and get more exposure of the tragic situation.
The charity event is expected to happen within the next two-three weeks, but it’s subject to change, as they’re still planning it.
ASI will hold a meeting this Tuesday at 12 p.m. in the University Student Union building USU-311 to plan further on the event.
Students and faculty can attend if they have any input or suggestions.
