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Melina Rudman's avatar

Musings: In times like these, which are all-the-time lately, I remember Teresa of Calcutta's words, "If you want to change the world, go home and love your family."

That said, I have been giving to World Central Kitchen (Ukraine, Florida, Turkey), because the world is my home and the people there are my (extended) family. But it sure does feel like a drop of water in a desert of need.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

But what a beautiful sentiment.

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Cynthia Fridlich's avatar

It does

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Thomas Dombroski's avatar

Unfortunately the death toll will most certainly rise in the coming days , weeks and probably months

Aide to the affected areas is hampered by obstacles such as roads destroyed and blocked by crumbling buildings , a lack of trucks , sun zero temperatures coupled with heating and electrical outages

The state department announced that they will not be lifting sanctions in Syria

It seems like the perfect storm of tragic conditions

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Good point. So many times, those sanctions affect the innocent.

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Melina Rudman's avatar

heartbreaking.

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Charlene L. Edge's avatar

Thanks for this helpful post. The destruction is just beyond totally horrific. In 2011, I travelled with my husband across beautiful Turkey for nearly a month. We grieve, no words...

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Susan Campbell's avatar

It’s an entirely different thing when you’ve been there, eaten the food, talked to the people. If I could, I’d hug you.

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Charlene L. Edge's avatar

Yep, so true! Tnx for hug offer.

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Deacon Art's avatar

Send what you can and pray for the

“Helpers”.

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Jac's avatar

My neighbors who are from Turkey recommended the following. (Fortunately, their family and friends in Turkey are safe. Sadly, she said Turkish projections of those killed by the quake exceed 100,000.)

Doctors without Borders

https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/help-save-lives-donate-now-turkey-syria-earthquake-sitelink?ms=ADD2302U0U10&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BRAND.DWB_CKMSF-BRAND.DWB-GS-STLK-ALL-VAR-BO-ALL-STLK-TurkeyEarthquakeRR-ONETIME&gclid=CjwKCAiA85efBhBbEiwAD7oLQCTC6-__Qeo055k3jmyVCbL0NN6TbbHnht7ULFPXFAeaklL6gOpiIRoCqHoQAvD_BwE

Unicef

https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/unicef-responding-after-massive-earthquake-syria-and-turkey/40803

Additionally, their son started this fundraiser in collaboration with a Turkish physician organization's charity. (His mom is also a member of the org and says she vouches for them 100%.) Its collections will go to a long term project to rebuild destroyed schools and provide scholarships to students affected by the disaster. Prior to the earthquake, they provided scholarships mostly to medical students. The link is:

https://secure.givelively.org//donate/bridge-to-turkiye/btf-friends-of-kahev/can-ersahin

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Thank you so much for this, Jac.

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Pat Taylor's avatar

I’ve seen this non-profit organization in action doing disaster relief after hurricanes/tornados. Their integrity & the help they provide are excellent. They brought a 52 bed field hospital with drs & nurses to Turkey today. Will also set up a pharmacy. Volunteers will be bringing kits with: blankets, tarps, bucket with filter for emergency water supply, personal hygiene products, solar light source. WWW.samaritanspurse.org to donate

A friend who lived in Turkey and still works there sometimes recommended this relief project: PORTX, a NJ transport company is accepting donations of goods & taking them to Boston to be flown to Turkey. It is freezing winter there. Requested items: coats, knit or wool hats, gloves, sweatshirts, disposable diapers, individually wrapped hand-wipes, twin size blankets, tents, tarps. NEW ITEMS ONLY; put in a plastic bag with list of contents. Mail OR order and ship items to:

PORTX, Inc.

Attn: Turkey Earthquake Relief

256 Paterson Plank Rd.

Carlstadt, NJ 07072

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