SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Turkish Americans living in the Bay Area are mobilizing to help friends and family back home impacted by the massive 7.8 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria early Monday.
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Some are grappling with anger over how seismic codes were apparently not followed due to alleged government corruption
"The region was not prepared to handle this earthquake," said Basak Altan, the co-founder of the Bay Area Turkish Society.
Altan is both saddened and frustrated in the aftermath of the earthquake. According to Altan there have been calls for better seismic safety standards since 1999 when another devastating quake struck Turkey.
"And that's why all of these buildings that collapsed are newly constructed – airports, private hospitals, high tall rises – they all collapsed," she said.
All these new buildings were built without following proper codes. According to Altan, some survivors are fleeing to old villages.
More than 3,400 people have been killed so far, with thousands more injured in the initial earthquake, or the very large aftershocks.
Altan’s family in Turkey is safe, but she said every Turkish American knows someone who has either died or was injured in the earthquake.
Meanwhile, aid organizations are gearing up to collect medical supplies and equipment, as well as accept monetary donations to send to the Red Cross/Red Crescent which is helping victims on the ground in Turkey and Syria.
One such local effort is the Turkish American Religious Foundation in Redwood City, which is now mobilizing a relief effort to send medical supplies and equipment on Turkish Airlines as well as financial support.
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