Man who lost nine relatives in quake helps organise UK aid – as community groups flooded with donations
A man helping sort aid for the Turkey earthquake says nine of his relatives died in the disaster but has praised the community response – as UK groups urgently drive collections for survivors.
Some volunteers have also spoken about people in tears after receiving messages about loved ones dying as they pack up gear to send to the disaster zone.
In Leicester, Sefa Demirci is among those who have been helping load supplies outside a Turkish community centre – it’s had hundreds of donations from around the city and across the Midlands.
He told Sky News on Friday that he had just found out a ninth family member had died in the quake.
“One of my cousins I heard bad news about two hours ago – he’s just been found passed away as well. It’s horrifying, I can’t put it into words,” said Mr Demirci.
Despite his loss, he said he was inspired by the way local people had reacted.
“We are so blessed the Leicester community has come together and given so many donations,” said Mr Demirci.
“We are really grateful for everything the community has done for us.”
Volunteers are hoping their rented lorry will arrive in the city of Adana in four days’ time – after a huge journey of about 2,500 miles.
The community aid efforts come as nearly £33m was raised by the UK Disasters Emergency Committee appeal in its first day – with James Bond star Daniel Craig fronting a TV appeal.
More than 22,000 people are now said to have died after Monday’s quake hit parts of Turkey and Syria.
With hopes of finding any more survivors now remote, the focus is on helping the tens of thousands now homeless.
Solomon Tangy shut down normal operations at his warehouse after Evren Keser reached out to him and the local Jewish community.
“There was no thinking twice – it had to be done,” said Mr Tangy.
“We were here from yesterday, seven in the morning until 11.30 or 12 o’clock at night with 30 or 40 other volunteers who came to help.”
Mr Tangy said many of his staff at Empee Silk Fabrics stayed on to help – and on Friday they had nearly packed the 10,000 blankets that will give people protection from freezing temperatures.
Mr Keser said their shipment should be on the ground in a few days after he managed to arrange a special flight.
“We got in contact with three or four organisations through the Turkish embassy and they arranged for a Turkish Airlines flight for free, so our parcel with be flying tomorrow [Saturday] at 3 o clock,” he said.
