By Yaruk
On the morning of February 6, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the magnitude scale occurred around six cities in the southeastern region of Turkiye. According to observers and scientists, this earthquake was among the strongest since 1500.
According to the news of the Turkish state media Anatolia Agency, the number of people who have lost their lives until February 10 is more than 20,000, and the number of people affected is 12 million.
After the earthquake occurred, nations and people started helping Turkiye. Azerbaijan and other Central Asian states are at the top of these states.
Even though the Uyghurs from East Turkistan do not have not an independent country, they are there trying their best to help earthquake victims. Uyghurs in the diaspora, individuals, and organizations are continuously helping the Turkish people affected by the earthquake.
East Turkestan Blue Crescent Humanitarian Association, active in Turkiye, sent food to the earthquake area and sent a group of young Uyghur volunteers for search and rescue aid.
Then, the East Turkestan Culture and Solidarity Association operating in Kayseri sent a truck aid and a group of volunteers to the earthquake zone. In the videos shared on social media, with can be seen that Uyghurs made Uyghur Polo in those regions and distributed it to earthquake victims.
On the other hand, aid campaigns were started for Turkiye from Uyghurs outside of Turkiye. The World Uyghur Congress declared a mobilization for Turkiye and announced that they would help with 50 thousand dollars in the first step. Kuzzat Altay, an Uyghur activist and successful young businessman living in the USA and the founder of CYDEO, donated $156,800 to the “Help Turkiye” campaign he started with the graduates of the School. The Uyghur youth union in Norway also called for donations for Turkiye and announced on social media that their work continues.
Judging by the comments of the observers and the videos shared from the earthquake region, one can see that although the Uyghurs do not have an independent country, they have conquered the hearts of the Turkish people with their independent heart and humanitarian stance.