KINGSTON – The death toll in the 7.8 magnitude Kahramanmaras earthquake, that struck Turkey and Syria, neared 28,000 over the weekend, and Ozlem Oguzcan-Cranston is ensuring the devastation and humanitarian crisis has not gone unnoticed here.
Known as Chef Oz and owner of Masa Midtown, a Turkish restaurant, Oguzcan-Cranston has set out a cash jar for donations next to tea and desserts.
“We call it Tea for Turkey because tea is such a part of the culture in Turkey, and we are putting out freshly made Turkish tea all day long. So, we have the set-up, so people can help themselves to tea or some Turkish chocolate bars,” she said. “Every little bit helps. We have the jar out; help yourself to tea and give anything you can.”
So far, her relatives living in Turkey has been spared any hardship, but there are still so many that are living outside, exposed to the elements, because so many buildings have been destroyed or deemed unsafe.
“It’s absolutely devastating, I really have no words,” she said. “I feel for all the people affected, and there are hundreds and thousands of people affected.”
Last week the family of Burcu McCann, from their residence in Red Hook, sent out an appeal to friends to make donations to https://ahbap.org/disasters-turkey or
https://www.kizilay.org.tr/Bagis/BagisYap/405/donations-for-earthquake-in-pazarcik.
Like Ozlem-Cranston, McCann’s family has not suffered any devastating hardships from the earthquake.
“My father and sisters live there along with my extended family. They are a few of the fortunate ones as their apartment buildings survived the earthquake with small damages. As of (Saturday), after sleeping in their cars for three days, damage assessment team announced their building as safe to live in while 900 buildings were marked unsafe.”
Yet, earthquakes have always been a part of history and sometimes invoke political issues there.
“Earthquakes are part of Turkey’s history and future. They have organized emergency teams always ready to be deployed. However, this particular earthquake affected a large, highly populated cities, roads and highways that go to these cities has made it difficult for some of the aid to get there quickly,” she said.
“It’s hard for me to see the city and neighborhoods I grew up in destroyed. I feel guilty when I climb into my warm bed at night and when I eat thinking about my family and friends trying to survive. Turkey is grateful for all the support they been receiving from individuals, businesses and other countries. It will take a long time for country to erase physical damages of the earthquake,” said Mrs. McCann.
