Local efforts to help earthquake victims in eastern Mediterranean after thousands of people killed

DERRY, N.H. — There are local efforts to help both countries impacted by the devastating earthquakes in the eastern Mediterranean.

Huseyin Akgun, grew up in Turkey where his sister still lives, and says he can not believe the extent of the damage and what could be next for the people who survived the earthquake. “When you are out there in that cold if nobody is taking care of you. You will lose little kids and it is too cold,” said Akgun.

Nadia Alawa runs a group called NuDay Syria out of Derry, New Hampshire.

“It is absolutely horrific what is happening,” said Alawa. “Our mission is to empower and aid women and children with dignity and help them rebuild their lives.”

Alawa says her team members were in Syria when the earthquake hit and have shared nightmare stories of the aftermath. “Crying on the phone and telling us how he was together with the white helmets digging out one father and then having to tell him he had lost his whole family.”

NuDay says with this emergency the best way to help is financially but there are other things you can do.

“Prayers are great, wanting to help is great, coming to the warehouse loading donations and continuing with NuDay in the future is awesome but money is what is needed now,” said Alawa. “Because food needs to be bought locally. Food needs to be distributed and has to happen right away.”

These locals know the area has so many political challenges but they feel confident the world is helping. “Humanity comes out, no matter what,” said Akgun. “It’s also about reaching inside building bridges, building hope there and also in ourselves,” said Alawa.

Boston University Turkish Student Association is raising donations from GoFundMe for Bridge to Turkey Fund which directly funds ongoing search and rescue efforts in Turkey right now.

The NuDay donation fund can be found by clicking this link. All donations are tax-deductible.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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