"We are following the reports about the severe earthquake and the massive destruction in the region of Kurdistan with dismay,” said Engin Sever, co-chair of the Kurdish umbrella organization KON-MED. "We feel the pain of our nation, offer our condolences to those who have died and wish those injured a speedy recovery."

Severe earthquakes in North Kurdistan and on the border with Syria killed more than 2,300 people in both countries on Monday and injured thousands. The death toll is increasing every hour. There were also unusually violent aftershocks, one of which had a magnitude of 7.6.

Turkey is repeatedly affected by severe earthquakes. Two of the largest continental plates meet there: The African and the Eurasian. In 1999, Turkey was hit by one of the worst natural disasters in its history: a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in the region around the city of Izmit in the north-west of the country claimed the lives of more than 17,000 people. In the winter of 2011, an earthquake in Van Province, which borders Iran, killed over 600 people.

KON-MED said: “Kurdistan and the people who live in Kurdistan are not only struggling with natural disasters, but also with war, political repression and economic crises.”

Sever added: “It is now important to show solidarity and help where possible. We in exile bear a great responsibility. We must mobilize and stand by our people. As KON-MED we have set up a crisis team. Let's support the Kurdish Red Crescent support campaign together.”

Donations can be sent to Heyva Sor a Kurdistanê e.V. via KON-MED.

Account:

KON-MED e.V. | Keyword "earthquake relief"

District Savings Bank Cologne

IBAN: DE49 3705 0299 0004 0104 81

BIC/SWIFT: COKSDE33XXX