By Sara Orlos Fernandes
The boxes were stacked up to the ceiling, donations had to be stopped in many places – the heart of the Berliners for the victims of the earthquake knows no bounds.
On Monday evening, the police had to block the access roads to the donation drop-off point on Emdener Strasse and later Turmstrasse in Moabit. The influx of people there was too great. While several trucks were on the road, dozens of helpers heaved heavy packages with warm clothing, tents, sleeping bags and hygiene items onto the loading areas.
Large amount of donations in Turmstrasse. On the night of Tuesday, Berliners handed in relief supplies here Photo: spreepicture
Relief efforts continued across the city on Tuesday. In the Conservatory for Turkish Music on Bergmannstrasse in Kreuzberg, the classrooms were filled to the ceiling with donations.
The Conservatory for Turkish Music (Kreuzberg) has not been able to accept any donations since Tuesday afternoon Photo: Joerg Bergmann
Managing Director Halime Karademirli: “I didn’t expect such a large flood of donations and helpers. Even police officers were there and brought boxes and dragged things. It was fantastic.”
Many of the helpers have family members in the affected regions and fear every minute for good news from home. Just like Basri (33) and Deniz Ü. (29), whose uncles and aunts are still buried under the rubble in Kahramanmaras.
The brothers Basri (33) and Deniz Ü. (29) collected donations in their workshop “Kfz Arkaden”: “We are in contact with our family in Kahramanmaras. People dig for their loved ones themselves. Our little cousins were rescued, crushed under the rubble. Her parents, our uncle and our aunt are still being sought. Although only bodies are being recovered at this time, we hope they are still alive.” Photo: Ufuk Ukta
To help, the brothers spontaneously collected donations in their garage on Treptower Strasse in Neukölln. Many brought the relief supplies to them, since the acceptance point in Neukölln’s Mierstraße had already stopped accepting in the morning.
The workshops of the “Kfz Arkaden” in Neukölln were filled with relief supplies within a few hours Photo: Ufuk Ukta
“Hospitals are overwhelmed, people sleep in cars when it’s cold, and we want to help so that people at least have something warm to wear,” says Deniz Ü. (29) to BZ
In addition to private helpers, numerous aid organizations are also involved. The Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) sent a three-person investigation team to the affected region. “If the situation allows, we will send our medical emergency team FAST,” said an ASB spokeswoman to BZ
Road builder Delali T. (24) lends a hand in Neukölln: “Such a stroke of fate can strike anyone. It is important to show solidarity” Photo: Ufuk Ukta
The German Red Cross (DRK) is also collecting donations and has announced relief measures. Humanitarian needs are currently being determined in exchange with sister organizations on site.
Filiz Onayli (45): “My sister lives in Adana with her husband and two children. The little one is only three months. Their house is in danger of collapsing, they have had to spend the whole day outside in the cold. Today she sent me a photo of the children. You are doing well and staying with a fellow teacher” Photo: Joerg Bergmann
Medical assistant Sinem Kücük (40, left) and geriatric nurse Ebru Erdogan (27) have been packing baby food since Tuesday. Sinem: “My friend’s sister-in-law was killed, the brother-in-law lost both legs” Photo: Joerg Bergmann