Singaporeans help Türkiye-Syria quake survivors with donations of tents, warm clothes

“We saw so many people leaving everything behind and just going down to help – like shop owners, they closed their shops and whatever they had, they took it with them and brought it to people. Those selling kebabs by the street gave them out for free,” he said.

Despite the community coming together, Mr Nuzulul realised that there was still a need for tents. 

Adding to the demand for tents were the people who had abandoned their homes, even though they were not destroyed in the quakes.

“There are many buildings with minor cracks, but people are so afraid to stay there,” Mr Nuzulul said. 

When he got back to Istanbul, he approached a few shops in the hope of buying items at wholesale prices. He managed to persuade a shop owner who gave them a discount for 2,000 sets of thermal wear and tents.

However, the owner made a deal stipulating that he would send the supplies directly to the victims.

Mr Nuzulul said this was a better option as it would be faster. It will also ease the load of collection points and aid workers, he added.

TURKIYE RELIEF INITIATIVE 

Another Singaporean based in Istanbul, Ms Jacintha Phua, wanted to find solutions for the millions left homeless on the wintry streets.

The 36-year-old tech entrepreneur initially sourced tents in Istanbul, but quickly realised she needed to do more. 

“While there are tentmakers in Türkiye, the demand is enormous,” she said. “So anything from overseas, ready supplies is a benefit.”