Exporters, including textile producers, started aid campaigns for the earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6, the epicentre of which was in Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş and affected 10 provinces in total. Goods needed in the earthquake region will be collected and delivered to the region within the scope of the aid initiated under the leadership of TIM.
Textile exporters called for unity
Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (ITHIB) President Ahmet Öksüz stated that they followed the earthquake disaster with great sadness and said the following:
“We express our condolences to the citizens who lost their relatives and to our country, and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. We, as business people, are also taking action after the disaster where the whole Türkiye is united as one heart. As exporters under the leadership of TIM, we are launching an aid campaign for our citizens in the earthquake region. As İTHİB, we took action to meet the needs of our citizens in the earthquake region. Those who wish to contribute to the aid campaign, in which İTKİB, İMMİB, İİB, and HİB are involved, can send their aid, including all kinds of winter clothes, socks and underwear, winter shoes and boots, blankets, fleece, sleeping bags, baby diapers, electric stoves and dry food, to Atatürk Airport, Entrance B, former DHL cargo building, with the contents written on the parcel. We will deliver these items to the families affected by the earthquake. This is a day for unity. May God help our nation.”
“50 thousand pairs of winter shoes and boots will be delivered to the disaster area”
Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association (IDMIB) Chairperson Güven Karaca said in a written statement that Türkiye is experiencing a major disaster and that they are closely and sadly following the developments. Karaca disclosed: “We express our condolences to the citizens who lost their lives and to our country, and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. As IDMIB, we have contacted our related associations and foundations in order to be with our people affected by the earthquakes. We took action with the aim of delivering 50 thousand pairs of winter shoes and boots to the disaster area. In this period of cold winter conditions, we started to work to meet the needs of our citizens in the earthquake region.”
Karaca stated that an aid campaign was also launched under the leadership of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and said: “Those who wish to participate in the aid campaign, in which İTKİB, İMMİB, İİB, and HİB are involved, can send the items that will be needed in the earthquake zone, such as winter clothes, socks and underwear, blankets and fleece, sleeping bags, baby diapers and electric stoves, to the address of Atatürk Airport, Entrance B, former DHL cargo building, with the contents written on the parcel. We will try to support the efforts of our state to heal the wounds of the earthquake as soon as possible. We believe that we will overcome these difficult days with unity and solidarity. May God help our nation.”
Türkiye Retailers Federation (TPF) President Ömer Düzgün stated that in the cities affected by the earthquake, local chains started to transport emergency supplies to the distribution centres in the regions with the coordination of Governorships, District Governorships, Municipalities, Mukhtars, AFAD and Red Crescent.