BOROUGH Rotary Club makes donation to help sister club’s relief efforts

TO HELP relief efforts in Turkey following the earthquake, a local fundraising group has sent a donation.

The Rotary Club of Pangbourne wired £1,000 in US dollars to its sister club, Rotary District 2430.

It follows the disaster of February 6, which affected both Turkey and neighbouring Syria.

The death toll is thought to be over 36,000, with tens of thousands injured. The quake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale.

The Rotary Club of Turkey sent over an despatch of its efforts. It is now slightly out of date as rescue operations are still ongoing in the hope that some people will be found alive.

Dr Emre Öztürk, its district governor, wrote: “The current situation is very tragic.

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“The two successive and big earthquakes along with the aftershocks have been effective in 10 cities where more than 13 million people live.

“This is one of the biggest disasters of the geography we are living in, leaving a huge destruction and debris.”

He added: “Many people were saved but the hopes for the way too many under the rubbles are diminishing every minute. The freezing cold makes it hard to survive and the lack of electricity, natural gas and accommodation is a major problem for the survivors.

“The government has declared state of emergency. The army has been given a role to help the rescue teams.”

The Rotary clubs are sending generators, tents, winter cloths,

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diapers, hygienic peds, food, water and fuel. “Also,” Dr Öztürk said, “We have sent several excavators and similar construction vehicles.

“We have four Rotary centres in the region in Adana, Osmaniye, Gaziantep and Malatya where we provide either accommodation, food or both. We are in touch with Shelterbox.

“SOS has already came with generators and tents and on their way to Elbistan, epicenter of the earthquake. We are accepting donations for future rehabilitations.”

He added: “We, as the three districts in Turkey, are now applying commonly to the disaster response grant. “We have also opened accounts for other donations. Should any Rotarian or club would like to donate they are more than welcome.” n Donations can be made via: rotary2430.org.tr/deprem-bagisi