On Monday, Feb. 6, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria. Several aftershocks have occurred, including a 7.5 earthquake. More than 12,000 people have died in Turkey and Syria and thousands more have been injured.
Duke students have organized a vigil that will occur on the Chapel Quad at 5:30 on Thursday, February 9th.
Additionally, professor Kathryn Morgan, whose work is featured in Duke Today, is helping to organize an event in Chapel Hill this weekend to highlight the importance of the region and its need for help right now.
The free, public event will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Sancar Turkish Cultural and Community Center on East Franklin St. in Chapel Hill.
Among the speakers will be Robert Pearson, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey.
Below are a few organizations carrying out search and rescue operations, and mobilizing a response.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent
In addition, the money collected from the offering during the Sunday, February 12 Duke Chapel worship service will go to a community partner, United Methodist Committee On Relief, that is processing a grant for the International Blue Crescent in Turkey, which has issued an appeal for emergency supplies such as tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, food and first aid.
