RALEIGH, N.C. — The death toll continues to rise, 11 days after two earthquakes hit southern Turkey and northern Syria. Almost 40,000 people have died, and more than 108,000 are injured. This week the United Nations launched an appeal for $1 billion in funding to help humanitarian agencies.
What You Need To Know
Almost 40,000 people have died, and more than 108,000 are injured after two earthquakes in Turkey
Adem Kurtipek, who is from Turkey and a research associate at N.C. State, says his young son survived the earthquakes
The American Turkish Association of North Carolina is holding a fundraiser for victims on Sunday in Cary
Adem Kurtipek is from Turkey and came to Raleigh about a year ago to work as a research associate at N.C. State. Almost all of his friends and family are still in Turkey, including his 8-year-old son, who survived the recent earthquakes.
“I really love him a lot. He is the most loved people in my life,” Kurtipek said. “It was so scary because I was here and my son was thousands of miles away from me.”
There was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6 followed by a 7.5 magnitude quake about nine hours later. Kurtipek’s son and his ex-wife lived right near the epicenter.
“It was like a moment time stood still for a while for me. I got shocked, and I grabbed my phone to just call my son. I expected to hear his voice,” Kurtipek said. “I was afraid if I couldn’t hear his voice, what do I do?”
Fortunately his son, family and friends are OK, but he’s worried about the trauma his son has been exposed to.
“He saw buildings collapsed around. People are crying, screaming, trying to help others. There was a dust cloud around,” Kurtipek said. “We don't know yet, but I'm sure many of his friends and maybe teachers also will not be at school when he goes back to school any time later.”
N.C. State’s Turkish Student Association is just one local organization helping with fundraising efforts for victims. Kurtipek says it’s hard not physically being there to help, but he and other members of the Turkish community are still trying to do what they can.
“We cannot change time and place at the moment,” Kurtipek said. “We can try to do our best.”
Kurtipek says one of his colleagues at N.C. State even offered to help buy a plane ticket for his son. Kurtipek says his son has a green card, but it’s unclear if it’s safe to go back to their home where they keep the paperwork.
The American Turkish Association of North Carolina is holding a yard sale and bake sale to benefit earthquake victims on Sunday in Cary. The fundraising event is happening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Turkish House at 303 E. Durham Rd., Cary, NC 27513.