It has been six weeks since a devastating earthquake struck Turkey and parts of Syria. On Monday the European Union and international donors pledged €7 billion in relief. On Saturday, the Canadian government announced they’ll be making it easier for temporary residents of Turkey and Syria to extend their stay.
READ MORE: 8 dead, hundreds hurt after another earthquake hits Turkey, Syria
Ramazan Alan, who owns Donair Istanbull in Hamilton, originally moved to Canada in 2009 but still has a family including his mother and four siblings in Turkey. While his hometown of Adana, which was west of the epicentre avoided the most devasting impacts of the 7.8 magnitude quake he says he and his family now live with the worry that it may happen again.
Immediately after the quake, Alan began collecting donations for relief efforts. He started with items of need like food and hygiene products and later cash donations, which he is still doing through a donation box at his restaurant.
READ MORE: Turkey, Syria quakes death toll continues to rise
On Saturday, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced the government will allow people from Turkey and Syria who have a temporary status to apply for an extension, will waive the fees, and will also prioritize processing temporary visa applications for those affected.
Sema Guler is with the Turkish Community Centre based out of Toronto and says the news came as a great relief for the organization, “that is as a result of a big campaign that was held by all our members, all our community members and finally we were happy that the government heard us.”
Guler says fundraising efforts continue and they have now turned their attention to sending bigger items by sea transport like portable toilets, outdoor showers, and containers for homes and schools for the more than 2 million people displaced. Guler says her organization will continue to work with those displaced by this disaster and plan to keep fundraising right through the summer into the fall and as long as it takes.
READ MORE: Canada sends rescue teams to help search in Turkey, Syria
Donations to earthquake relief can be made through the Red Cross website.
