Turkish food van owner raises thousands for Red Cross appeal after earthquakes hit home country
Yilmaz Husiyen runs Yilmaz Snack Bar on Hareness Road, Altens
Last updated 22nd Feb 2023
Nearly three weeks on from the first earthquake to hit Turkey and Syria, vital funds are being raised across the country to support those affected, including in Aberdeen.
Yilmaz Huseyin's family, including parents and brothers, managed to escape the 7.8 magnitude quake on February 6th. Tens of thousands of others weren't so lucky.
"I phoned my Dad he was fine, he phoned my brothers they were all out of the buildings they were all fine", said Yilmaz, who runs the popular Yilmaz Snack Bar in Altens.
Since the disaster, he has raised little less than £7,000, although expects that he'll hit that milestone by the end of the week.
"I didn't think we would raise this much money, we've raised about £6,200.
"Probably, it will be £7,000 later this week, we have to wait for confirmation from the Red Cross as well.
"We have to make sure it's going to the right place to help the right people.
'Proud' of Aberdeen
The British Red Cross launched an appeal hours after Turkey and Syria were hit by the earthquake.
A crew of 77 firefighters from across the UK were also sent to help with the rescue mission, including two from Aberdeen and one from Portlethen.
READ MORE: Scottish firefighters tell of 'biblical' scenes of disaster in Turkish earthquake zone
Watch Commander John Aitchison, from Portlethen, described the mission as "utter carnage and biblical scenes which we'll never forget", adding that it was "like being in a film set".
And whilst Yilmaz considered going across to help, he decided to send financial aid across from afar.
"One of the family's buildings came down so we paid for his rent for a year and then I send some money for my Mum and Dad and family.
"I'm proud being in Scotland, in Aberdeen. There's lots of people raising money for Turkey and lots of people are asking me where to donate clothes, which is amazing. I'm never let down.
A second quake
The region was struck by two further large earthquakes on Monday 20th February, the first registering at a magnitude of 6.4 according to the country's disaster and emergency agency, with an aftershock just minutes later registering at 5.8.
Further tremors were felt, but not as severe.
"I was basically heartbroken, actually", said Yilmaz, after reading about the death toll.
"So many deaths, so many people lost their lives."