DESPERATE rescue efforts are continuing in the wake of the earthquakes that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria, with more than 33,000 dead and thousands more left injured or homeless.
As families anxiously await news of their missing or isolated relatives, the community is being called on to lend their support through making a donation no matter how big or small.
Collection tins are filling up fast at Gallipoli Mosque in Auburn with general manager Osman Goreli calling for cash donations to help provide food, shelter and medical supplies through Turkish charity Red Crescent which is working with Australian Red Cross teams.
“There have been so many of our families affected so please give generously,” he said.
One of those families, Gaziantep Sweets’ Zeki Atilgan says his parents luckily were uninjured.
“But we are concerned as they are having trouble getting food and water,” the Auburn business owner said.
Granville’s Asli Karazincir says that while her immediate relatives are safe, the same is not true for her extended family.
“I still have cousins stuck under rubble and some cousins still not found,” she said.
“It’s a heart-breaking situation.”
Newington business owner Dilek Fusun Esener holds grave concerns for her daughter-in-law’s family.
“We still don’t know what has happened to them,” she said.
“It’s time for the community to pull together and give support for supplies and the search for victims.”
As well as donating at gallipolimosque.org.au, residents can go to emergencyaction.org.au which comprises 15 Australian aid charities, Red Cross, Unicef or Doctors Without Borders.
Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre: 1300 555 135.
