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The University of Maryland’s Turkish Student Organization is collecting donations to support the victims of last week’s devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, which have killed at least 35,000 people and affected more than 20 million.
“People are dislocated from their homes, separated from their families, are looking for food, shelter and many other basic needs,” said Alperen Keles, a doctoral student in computer science whose family and friends have experienced the destruction and its aftermath.
The informal student organization, which has nearly 100 members, welcomes even small donations to assist with the crisis, noting that $10 can buy 36 loaves of bread, 133 bottles of water, 73 diapers, a blanket or a pair of boots. All donations will support Turkish Philanthropy Funds’ Turkiye Earthquake Relief Fund and recovery efforts.
“We as the Turkish community in UMD will work toward creating a safe community inside the University of Maryland, help gather resources for providing psychological support to our peers and organize local efforts for helping any students affected by the disaster,” he said.
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