Forklifts moved pallets of supplies at the PORTX warehouse in Carlstadt where workers piled up bags of blankets and clothes, all donated in aid of victims of the massive earthquake that tore through southeast Turkey along the Syrian border Monday. The scenes of desperation and destruction drew an outpouring of grief and generosity.
“Pants, jackets, sweaters, clothes,” Razik Sarki described his donations. “It’s my country, I see the people suffering. How can I sit here and do nothing?”
Mayor Andre Sayegh of Paterson said, “Paterson has the largest Turkish American population in the country … The race to rescue people is on. And the race to get supplies to the people is on here in New Jersey.”
Rescue workers estimate the quake killed 5,400 people in Turkey, 1,700 in Syria. These included a close friend of Mohamed Khairullah, the Syrian-born mayor of Prospect Park.
The following is a list of organizations in New Jersey and elsewhere that are involved in relief efforts:
- Embrace Relief, based in Fairfield, is seeking donations to provide supplies to displaced Turks.
- Employees at the freight company PORTX in Carlstadt are collecting relief supplies at Trailer 4 on weekdays until 5 p.m. Call (201) 966-9995 for more information.
- The Turkish Consulate General in New York City is accepting supplies at the consulate, located at 821 United Nations Plaza, 10017, NY, NY. More information can be found here.
- Islamic Relief USA is fundraising to support aid efforts in Turkey.
- Swasia, based in Wayne, is providing emergency response to victims in northern Syria, including many war refugees who were already living in dire conditions.
- SFUSA, a U.S.-based organization, is working to bring relief in Syria.
- The White Helmets, the common name of the Syrian Civil Defence, is accepting donations to help in its aid efforts.
- U.S.-based Mercy Without Limits has a goal of raising $3 million to provide earthquake relief.
