Turkey, Syria need help after earthquakes

Two massive earthquakes, with magnitude of 7.8 and 7.5, respectively, hit Turkey and Syria at

4:17 a.m. and 1:24 p.m. Feb. 6. The earthquakes resulted in at least

40,000 deaths and more than 20,000 collapsed buildings in both countries. Experts say the amount of energy released by the back-to-back earthquakes were equal to 2,000 atomic bombs. This happens only once every 500 years or so.

I was born in Iskenderun, Turkey, which is about 150 miles southwest of the epicenter of the earthquakes. Through news, photos, videos and what my relatives who live there have told me, I know the devastation and pain are beyond belief. I lost a few family members and many friends.

Initially, there was an outburst among the surviving victims toward the government for not mobilizing faster, not sending enough heavy equipment, rescue teams, food, water and more. However, as the dust started to settle, people began to realize that the earthquakes were so massive, affecting such a vast area and collapsing bridges and highways, that attending to everywhere within a reasonable time frame was not possible. Things are now slowly getting better.

We, the Turkish-Americans of South Florida, together with our friends in various other communities and faiths, including Muslims, Christians and Jews, are working hand-inhand collecting money and in-kind donations to send to the affected region.

Now it is time to heal the wounds and rebuild. The cost to rebuild is estimated at more than $50 billion. This is a huge sum for any country. Let us dive into our pockets and donate. They need our help.

What is better than helping someone in dire need?