Washington Kurdish Institute
February 7, 2023
Early in the morning of 6 February, a massive earthquake struck the Kurdistan Region of Turkey (Bakur) and the Kurdistan Region of Syria (Rojava), causing unprecedented destruction and leading to a humanitarian nightmare. Thousands are already confirmed dead and thousands more are missing, and time is running out for those trapped beneath rubble. Many who escaped with their lives are now homeless, searching for shelter in the freezing winter.
While the international community and media have continued to report on the tragedy that they call the “Turkey-Syria earthquake”, it is rarely mentioned that most victims are Kurds, and we are deeply concerned that international aid will not reach the people who need it most. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his regime have a long track record of silencing and otherwise persecuting the Kurdish people, often using the might of the Turkish Armed Forces against the Kurds in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, so we do not expect Turkey to prioritize the Kurds, the people most affected by this tragedy, in their relief efforts. Even following the earthquake, Turkey has continued to attack Kurdish areas of Syria (Rojava), and we know that any relief work coordinated with the Syrian regime in Damascus will not reach the people of Rojava, the part of Syria closest to the earthquake’s epicenter.
This earthquake, which has affected many of the peoples of Turkey and Syria, is nonetheless undoubtedly a Kurdish national tragedy. The Washington Kurdish Institute (WKI) once again extends our most profound condolences to all victims and their families and wishes a speedy recovery for the wounded. During these critical first few days after the earthquake, we would like to advise our friends and supporters that the best way to support the victims of the earthquake is to donate to Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê (Kurdish Red Moon), a Kurdish charity with chapters registered worldwide and a 30-year history of providing relief to those in need throughout Kurdistan.
The easiest way to donate to Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê is to use the donation link in the urgent appeal issued by their Germany-based chapter:
Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê » URGENT APPEAL FOR HELP FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
Donations can be made using PayPal or credit card, and bank details are also provided for anyone who may prefer to use a bank transfer.
The WKI will continue to do everything possible to support the victims of this horrible natural disaster. We urge you to share this message and, if possible, make a donation during this difficult time.