2011 Van Earthquake Relief Fund

An earthquake with magnitude 7.2 hit Van on October 23rd. Current reports indicate death toll around 270 people and 740 injured, but rescue teams are still sifting through hills of rubble from flattened multistory buildings trying to reach dozens of people believed trapped underneath. Officials said hundreds of mud-brick homes in villages and concrete buildings in two cities tumbled down in the earthquake that struck Sunday near the border with Iran. Worst-hit was Ercis an eastern city of 75,000 close to the Iranian border and one of Turkey’s most earthquake-prone zones where about 80 multi-story buildings collapsed.

Aid groups scrambled to set up tents, field hospitals and kitchens to assist thousands left homeless or who were afraid to re-enter their homes.

Ercis, an eastern city of 75,000 close to the Iranian border, is in one of Turkey’s most earthquake-prone zones. The bustling, larger city of Van, about 55 miles (90 kilometers) south of Ercis, also sustained substantial damage, and highways in the area caved in.

As TACA our hearts go out to those who lost their lives and their loved ones. Turkish American Cultural Alliance in Chicago has setup a Relief Fund to reach out a helping hand to the earthquake survivors in Turkey. TACA Board of Directors had an emergency meeting on Sunday, October 24, 2011 and is organizing efforts with the Consul General of Turkey in Chicago as well as many other Turkish Community Members in Chicago. The Relief Fund setup by Turkish American Cultural Alliance will help support Turkish Red Crescent provide essential shelter, water and food to those who are affected in the area.

You can donate via PayPal or credit card using the button below.

Also you can donate via Kizilay (Turkish Red Crescent)