'This is not over': Northern California groups aid relief efforts after quakes hit Turkey, Syria

Another deadly earthquake shook Turkey today. It killed three people and injured hundreds more. The 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Hatay, and that was already one of the worst hit regions earlier this month in the magnitude 7.8 quake. That earthquake led to nearly 45,000 deaths. And people with ties to the region hit by both of these earthquakes now are filled with grief for their relatives and friends who are struggling through so much devastation.

But they're also pledging to do all they can to help. KCRI3's Melanie Wingo spoke with Northern California groups who are working to raise money for the relief funds. News beyond belief for Turkish Americans as yet another large earthquake strikes Turkey's Hatay province just two weeks after a 7.8 magnitude quake struck the region. It just takes your your belief, your faith. With the number of confirmed fatalities in Turkey and Syria combined at more than 47,000 after the initial earthquake February 6th, people with Turkish roots struggling to process the devastation from afar that's affected so many they know and love. It's our native country.

You know, you think it's where our roots are. So it hurts. We are hurt. So they're doing what they can from a distance to support relief and recovery efforts to mourn with us to donate towards the earthquake relief efforts. Your support means a lot to us. Turkish Americans living in this community, but also Turkish people that are living in the affected areas. The Turkish American Association of California Sacramento chapter hosting a support gathering for the community.

It touched our hearts to know that that there's a circle of love around us. The group also organizing fundraisers with proceeds going to larger relief organizations that are in desperate need. We did not just lose buildings. We lost humans. We lost young, old, last generation. The need for assistance after the first major quake and others that have followed aid organizations say will be ongoing likely for years to come. We like to think that American public will not forget this in couple of weeks in a week.

This is not over. Melanie Wingo KCRA three news. The Sacramento chapter of the Turkish American Association of California has raised more than $3,500 in just the past two days, and they're sending that money to the nationally recognized bridge to Turkey relief fund.

KCRA, Sacramento, Syria, Turkey