In this way, as Zoetermeer you can help the people in the affected earthquake area

Destroyed buildings, thousands of dead: there is a good chance that you will feel powerless when you see the images of the earthquake-hit area in Turkey and Syria. Still, you don’t have to sit still: just like Mohamed and Okan who buy warm things at Action in the Leidsewallen shopping center.

Their shopping baskets are filled almost to the brim with children’s socks and adult stockings. Moroccan Mohamed Elfaiz and Turk Okan Karadeniz buy warm stuff to support the victims of the earthquake.

Collection points

In Zoetermeer there are so far no collection points for items in Zoetermeer. “You can find this at the mosque in The Hague, for example,” explains Mohamed. “I have a job, a roof over my head, enough stuff: we are fine. I cannot bear to watch what is happening in Turkey and Syria. That’s why I have to do something. I bought 200 thermal pants and here at Action I get socks in all sizes. It is freezing there, so warm things are badly needed.”

Read more below the photo>

Whole families disappeared

Okan says that his family in Turkey was unharmed. “Fortunately,” he says. “But it is so bad for the victims who have fallen. I know a woman in the Netherlands who lost her entire family in one fell swoop because they all lived in an affected place.”

She lost her entire family in one fell swoop

Turkish and Syrian supermarkets

We check with some Turkish and Syrian supermarkets in Zoetermeer whether local fundraising campaigns exist. All answer that you mainly have to be in The Hague for that. “Tonight I’m bringing some stuff to the mosque in The Hague,” says Orhan Yildiz of Harput butcher shop. “If I had the space, I would like to make a collection point here.” They also indicate at the Syrian supermarket Adam and the Turkish Orange Supermarket in the Seghwaert shopping center that they bring things to The Hague themselves. “We do not have any collection points in our own city.”

Read more below the message >

Make a donation

Many people in our region donate usable items to the Turkish Islamic Cultural Foundation in The Hague. People can also make a donation: read here how it works. Do you want to bring stuff? Then it is wise to inquire in advance which items are most needed, since a lot has already been contributed. At a sorting point on the Nelis Stokelaan, there is a need for volunteers to help with the sorting work (see the above Facebook message).

If a collection point opens in Zoetermeer, we will of course let you know. If you are going to start a collection point, we would like to know! Send an e-mail to [email protected].