United in tragedy: Kashmir joins relief efforts for quake-hit Turkey, Syria

Srinagar: The earthquake in Turkey and Syria has brought back the horrors of the 2005 Kashmir quake prompting civil society and NGOs to step up relief efforts for people in the two countries.

 Syria and Turkey witnessed a devastating earthquake last week. More than 28000 people have died and thousands have become homeless.

 Several social organizations, charity groups, and NGOs in Kashmir have started collecting relief for earthquake victims.

Kashmir-based NGO `We The Helping Hands Foundation’ has dispatched a relief consignment to the embassy of Turkey in New Delhi.

“Soon after calling people for relief donations, we got an enormous response and three trucks of relief were been collected in just one day. Another consignment will leave tomorrow,” said Muzamil Nazir, vice president of the NGO.

For Syria, where there is a dearth of baby food, he said they have started a special drive to help kids.

“So far, we collected jackets, blankets, sleeping bags, and kids’ wear for both these countries. Now we will start collecting baby food and clothes to cater to the Syrian victims,” Nazir said.

He said they have set up their relief collection centers in various districts of Kashmir.

Kashmir’s logistics company `Fastbeetle’ too has started a similar initiative to ship relief for the victims of Turkey and Syria.

Sheikh Samiullah, CEO and co-founder of Fastbeetle said they have managed to collect a ton of relief, which will be soon shipped to both these countries.

Fastbeetle has tweeted about their relief drive for the people of both these earthquake-devastated countries following which people started donating food and other items.

Samiullah told The Kashmir Monitor they are in constant touch with the embassies of Turkey and Syria for shipping of the relief.

“We are dispatching our first consignment and the second one will also follow. People have enormously responded to the call to help the victims of Syria and Turkey,” he said.

Samiullah said that they have collected blankets, biscuits, clothes, and sanitary pads for the victims.

“People are willing to help the victims and we are hoping for more people to join in donating the relief for the victims,” he said.

 Ehsaas Trust International, a valley-based charity organization has also launched a massive drive to provide relief to people in Syria and Turkey.