TURKEY – A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern part of Turkey on Monday (6/2/2023). As a result of this disaster, Vice President Fuat Oktay said that at least 284 people were killed and more than 2,300 people were injured. Meanwhile, in neighboring Syria, at least 386 people were killed, including 239 people, most of whom were in Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus regions.
It is known that the big earthquake that struck Pazarcik District, Kahramanmaraş City, Turkey, occurred in the early hours of the morning at 04:17 AM local time. After a major earthquake occurred, 17 aftershocks occurred and the largest was 6.6 magnitude.
The tremor of the earthquake was felt in cities in Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Malatya and Adana. In addition, tremors were also felt in parts of Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Georgia, and Armenia. The danger level of this Turkish Earthquake was declared to be at level IV. All refugees also gathered and were concentrated in the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD Center) office.
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On the other hand, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Ankara stated that there were as many as 500 Indonesian citizens (WNI) living in the epicenter area. Most of them are students and the rest work for a number of international organizations. So far, three Indonesian citizens have been confirmed to be injured due to this earthquake disaster.
Ahmad Bakari of ELAF for Relief and Development, a non-profit organization in Turkey, said the earthquake felt very strong. As a result of this earthquake, the Turkish Government also announced an emergency response alert status. Streets and mosques were overflowing with some people. Ahmad said that the urgent needs needed now were tents and heating. The reason is that the weather temperature at the disaster site is very cold and full of snow.
“The earthquake is very strong. All people in the street and mosque until now. Now, we are in the rescue phase, and we can not estimate the damage in totally. But the most rapid response is cash for buying the tents and heating, because the weather is too cold and the snow on the ground.” Ahmad Bakari wrote a short message to DMC.
Dompet Dhuafa through the Disaster Management Center (DMC) unit is working on handling earthquake emergency response assistance in Turkey and Syria. DMC Dompet Dhuafa is now contacting local partners and volunteers on site.
“Currently, it is still in the assessment stage, because we haven’t been able to access the location, either from the government or local NGOs there,” said Haryo Mojopahit, Chief Executive of DMC Dompet Dhuafa.
Response-Recovery Manager of DMC Dompet Dhuafa, Narwan said that DMC Dompet Dhuafa planned to send aid for basic needs as mentioned by Ahmad Bakari, namely platoon tents and heating.
“The plan is that we will send aid to support the needs of survivors during the winter, they’re platoon tents and heating,” he said.
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Dompet Dhuafa and DMC also expressed their condolences for the earthquake that hit Turkey, and hoped that the situation would improve soon.
“Our deep condolences for the loss of lives and damage due to the Earthquake in Turkey. May Allah Swt recover the injured soon. Dompet Dhuafa stands in solidarity with the people of Turkey.” said Prima Hadi Putra, Director of Communication and Technology of Dompet Dhuafa
“We are sorry for what happened to the people of Turkey and its surroundings. May the victims die in husnul khatimah (a good ending) and the families left would be given endurance by Allah Swt. May all be within the protection of Allah Swt,” said Haryo Mojopahit, Chief Executive of DMC Dompet Dhuafa.
DMC and Dompet Dhuafa expressed their deepest condolences for the incident that happened to Turkey. We all pray that all survivors and the surrounding society will always be within the protection of Allah Swt. (DMC/AFP, Dompet Dhuafa/Ronna)