Spring Break
Groups continue fundraising
Heather Calkins
Daily Reporter
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The Turkish Institute for Police Studies and the Turkish Students Association, in alliance with the Pakistani Student Association, are planning a joint relief effort to help the victims of the Oct. 8 earthquake in Pakistan.
The Pakistani Student Association is planning a food sale to raise money for earthquake relief. The date is to be announced.
The Turkish Institute for Police Studies plans to donate over $15,000 to the victims to the relief effort. There are 154 members in the United States. The organization plans for each member to donate at least $100.
"We are raising awareness of the relief effort. $15,000 makes 30,000 hot meals in Pakistan," said Izzet Lofca, Manisa, Turkey, doctoral student. Lofca is a major in the Turkish National Police and the president of the Turkish Students Association.
The donations from the Turkish Institute for Police Studies will be sent to Gokhan Aydiner, director of the Turkish National Police. From there, it will be sent to the Director of National Police in Pakistan.
The Turkish community can relate to the plight of those in Pakistan. In 1999, the country experienced two earthquakes that devastated the region.
"From experience, we know the meaning of the earthquake," said Samih Teymur, director of the institute and general coordinator of the Turkish National Police.
The two countries share a common bond that goes beyond a natural disaster.
"They are one of the great nations that helped Turkey gain independence," Lofca said. "These memories are still fresh with the Turkish people."
Pakistan is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. According to the Associated Press, the United Nations received just 20 percent of the aid needed for the next six months. 80,000 have died in the earthquake, and over 3 million were left homeless.
Syed Haider Ali, Karachi, Pakistan, junior and president of the Pakistani Student Association calls the situation a "nightmare."
"It's very devastating," Lofca said. "We feel sorrow deeply."
Winter is arriving in the Himalayan region of Pakistan. Disease, combined with harsh weather conditions, could make the death toll rise even higher.
"People are dying of tetanus and gangrene," Ali said.
According to UNICEF, half of the victims are children.
"What we need is support. What we need is to save human life," Ali said. "Being a Pakistani, this is frustrating."
The Pakistani Student Association is receiving donations via PayPal into a fund for the earthquake victims. Those interested in donating can do so on the association's Web site at http://orgs.unt.edu/PSA.
