For Immediate Release

Contact: Luqman Barwari                   

Tel: (+1) 805.402.6440

Email: wanearthquakefund@gmail.com

On October 23, an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude, followed by hundreds of aftershocks, hit Wan, a Kurdish province in Southeast Turkey, and have wrought immeasurable suffering among the people in the area.  As of now, at least 535 residents of Wan and Erci? have perished, 2300 injured, and countless people have been made homeless. The final count was likely to rise further as many people were still missing and possibly trapped under the rubble of around 4000 totally destroyed or badly damaged buildings. The feelings of worry and heartache are almost too difficult to bear, but the survivors in Wan are showing their fortitude and are doing their best to help one another in this trying time.

Together, we can help the people of Wan. We can send a powerful message to them that the peoples in the United States have come together to help the people of Wan in their time of urgent need. We can provide much needed funds that will provide direct relief to the people of Wan in the form of rescue shelters, water, food, generators, gas, medicine, medical equipment, personal hygiene items, bedding, warm clothing, and rebuilding materials.

As a community of caring, the Wan Earthquake Relief Fund Committee, consisting of representatives of various Kurdish organizations across the U.S. and their friends have come together to show our support. The Committee has opened a bank account for