Nonprofit explains how to help earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, Syria

WASHINGTON (7News) — First responders, rescue and recovery teams are still sifting through the rubble in Turkey and Syria.

As of Wednesday morning, more than 9,500 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries. So how can you help with relief efforts? 7News spoke with the Zakat Foundation.

The executive director is already on the ground in his native Turkey Wednesday morning.

“At this point, this stage it’s early on, you’re just assessing. So we are looking at hygiene kit distribution, emergency kit distribution, blanket distribution. It’s unfortunate that all of this has occurred during the winter time because that of course adds another layer to it,” said Amina Demir, the Chief Operations Officer and daughter of the executive director.

Wednesday morning, people left piles of donations for those affected outside the Embassy of Turkey in D.C.

The nonprofit's response teams have also made the trip, assessing damage and assisting victims.

This particular region is dear to the foundation’s heart as the founder and executive director, Halil Demir, is a native to Sanliufa and still has family in the area.

Sections of Syria and Turkey have been ravaged, and the death toll continues to climb. This was one of the strongest earthquakes to hit this region in more than 100 years. Freezing weather conditions are further endangering survivors and complicating rescue efforts, as more than 100 aftershocks have struck the region. Aid agencies are particularly concerned about northwestern Syria, where more than four million people were already relying heavily on humanitarian assistance.

“My aunt, her building, she called my father on Monday very early morning and she said that the building shook and threw her out of the bed. She was able to escape, the building collapsed and now my aunt and my cousins are sleeping in their car,” said Demir.

Zakat Foundation’s offices there have been damaged, however, the staff remain there providing aid and assistance. The foundation will distribute emergency recovery kits, hygiene kits, warm food and blankets.

Donors can contribute to the emergency fundraising campaign here by selecting “Turkiye Earthquake.” These donations will be distributed as aid 100% to those in need in the country.