North Texans originally from Turkey have now sent two flights filled with supplies to help people recovering from the earthquake there. Monday afternoon, the Turkish and Syrian governments said the death toll had topped 33,000.
"My first thought was, 'I'm an optimist. Can we be okay?' No, we're not," said Erdal Sipahi, president of the Turkish American Association of North Texas.
Sipahi said earthquakes in that part of the world can result in "terrible devastation." Within a day, he says his organization had a conference call with the Turkish embassy in Houston.
"We're scrambling. Some folks from our community stepped in," he said. "We learned the big blocks we could put in place, some of the logistics."
Sipahi said the consulate general started identifying needs and also worked with Turkish Airlines to use cargo holds on flights from DFW to Istanbul to move supplies to the country.
He said the organization sent eight tons of material on its first flight followed by another four tons on a second flight this weekend.
"There's more to come because we continue to receive more and more goods from people," Sipahi said. "I simply want to thank the great citizens of Dallas/Fort Worth for their outpouring of generosity towards my community and my people."
Sipahi said he was born in Turkey but raised in Texas, calling himself a "citizen of both worlds."
Monday, he said the greatest need was 220V generators, thermal blankets, winter coats and winter tents big enough for at least four people. Monday, the group had a goal to raise five thousand tents and one thousand generators.
"I think the most need is because it's such a bitter cold winter in that area," Sipahi said.
Sipahi said the group can also use cash donations, saying it has the ability to work with other groups and may be able to stretch money further with bulk discounts.
People can make donations here. People can learn more about the current needs identified by the Turkish embassy in Houston here.
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