Hasan Aşçı, who manages the Konya branch of Kimse Yok Mu, a Turkish charitable association known for its international efforts, held a press conference at a hotel in Konya on Monday. Aşçı said an estimated 230,000 people died in Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake, one of the poorest countries in the world, and underlined the tragic situation on the quake-stricken island.Stating that the earthquake left approximately 3 million people homeless and hungry, Aşçı said Kimse Yok Mu has already extended a helping hand and launched a fundraising campaign titled “Haiti Waits for Emergency Help” to collect donations for victims. The association distributes food to 2,000 Haitians every day.
Noting that Turks support Haitians, Aşçı said this will continue through further projects. “We are cooperating with SAMEDER officials. A group of 14 people, including doctors and health professionals, is planning to leave Turkey for Haiti and stay for about 20 days. Temperatures in Haiti are on average 40 degrees Celsius at this time of year. Health professionals therefore worry that this may lead to a spread of epidemics,” Aşçı said, adding that health professionals stand ready to treat anyone in Haiti who falls ill or needs counseling due to psychological trauma caused by the quake.
