‘It’s devastating’: Manitobans with family affected by earthquake call for international aid – Winnipeg | 24CA News

Manitobans with family members abroad are gutted by the news and heartbreaking scenes in areas of Syria and Turkey devastated by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which struck within the early hours of Sunday morning native time.

Muhammad Khoja is in shock, making an attempt to attach with household and pals uprooted by collapsing buildings within the cities of Kahramanmaraş and Osmaniye in southeastern Turkey.

“We don’t sleep because the earthquake started at 4:30 a.m. Turkish time, around 8:30 evening (Sunday).”

Khoja, a Syrian refugee residing in Winnipeg, had initially fled to Turkey along with his spouse – their households and pals at the moment are dealing with one other catastrophe.

His brother informed him the scenes are worse than what they witnessed whereas escaping Syria greater than 10 years in the past.

“It’s stronger than that,” Khoja stated.

His family members aren’t harm, however they’re staying exterior in parks and within the streets till the aftershocks settle, not sure whether or not their houses are nonetheless standing, Khoja stated.

2:06Powerful earthquake rocks Turkey and Syria, killing 1000’s

Syrian and Turkish officers say at the least 3,400 persons are lifeless, they usually concern the demise toll will proceed to climb.

Allan Emre’s household can also be amongst these navigating the aftermath in Adana, Turkey.

“Nobody’s in the buildings. Everybody’s sheltering in the cars, and unfortunately, Turkey doesn’t get much snow, but right now we have snow,” Emre, a Kurdish-Turkish-Canadian residing in Winnipeg, informed Global News.

Many left their houses sporting gentle clothes and slippers, with out blankets or winter coats, he stated.

“The conditions are very dire,” Khoja stated. “It’s extremely cold. It’s rainy. It’s snowy.”

2:35‘We are really scared’: Syrians react to lethal 7.8-magnitude earthquake amid rescues

Emre lastly received by way of to his family members after hours of making an attempt and realized his mother-in-law survived being trapped in her dwelling.

“It took them about eight hours to break the door and rescue her and her son. Unfortunately, some other family members are not as lucky.”

Emre stated his spouse’s nephew and his household all died below the rubble.

“It’s devastating. It’s hard,” he stated. “(To) not be able to help and not be able to even travel to where they are is extremely difficult.”

Emre doesn’t know the way individuals will handle with little gas, energy and water, particularly in locations exterior main facilities, which can not get assist instantly, he stated.

The area additionally noticed tens of millions of refugees settle there after fleeing battle in Syria.

“Another disaster on top of a disaster,” Emre stated. “It doesn’t look good.”

Khoja additionally worries refugee purposes to Canada, together with his spouse’s mom’s, will probably be delayed even additional. They’ve been ready about 4 years because of setbacks introduced on by the pandemic.

Khoja stated he hopes assist comes swiftly as Syria, Turkey and the worldwide neighborhood work to rebuild what’s been misplaced.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada stands prepared to supply help.

— with recordsdata from The Canadian Press

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