>> LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF LOCATED HERE AND BALTIMORE IS PREPARING TO GO TO TURKEY AND OFFER ASSISTANCE. >> THE MAGNITUDE IS SOME OF THE WORST WE’VE SEEN. >> FRED MCCRAY, JUST RETURNED FROM A MEETING IN TURKEY. AS THE SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF, HE PLANS TO BE GOING BACK SOON WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF HIS TEAM. EVEN THOUGH HE’S BEEN DOING THIS WORK FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS EACH TIME IT’S NEW AND HEART WRENCHING. >> JUST THE DEVASTATION OF HOW QUICKLY THINGS CAN HAPPEN YOU THINK ABOUT FAMILIES BEING IN THEIR HOMES ENJOYING THEMSELVES AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN EARTHQUAKE AND PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES PEOPLE WHO WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SURVIVE HAVE LOST EVERYTHING, THEIR HOMES. THEIR SOURCE OF INCOME. >> NOT TO MENTION FAMILY MEMBERS. RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE WORKING WITH THEIR LOCAL PARTNER ON THE GROUND TO ORGANIZE THE DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF ITEMS. >> THEY NEED THINGS SUCH AS HYGIENE KITS, BABY CARE KITS. IN A DISASTER OF THIS TYPE AND MAGNITUDE IS TO MEET PEOPLE’S PHYSICAL NEEDS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THAT’S WHAT THE FIRST PHASE OF OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE IS IT FOCUSED ON. >> RIGHT NOW, THEY DON’T NEED CLOTHES, OR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. >> CASH IS THE BEST OPTION BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED ON THE GROUND IN TURKEY IT REDUCES THE COST OF THE SUPPLIES WE SECURE AND IT’S QUICKER IN TERMS OF TRYING TO REACH EFFECTED FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS. >> MCCRAY AND MEMBERS OF HIS TEAM COULD BE DEPLOYED FOR UP TO THREE TO FOUR MONTHS. YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET MONEY TO LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF LISA ROBINSON WBAL TV 11 NEWS
Baltimore-based organization tackling disaster in Turkey
Updated: 9:24 AM EST Mar 4, 2023
Baltimore is already stepping up to help after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.Fred McCray is the senior director for humanitarian operations for Lutheran World Relief, a Baltimore-based organization. In his more than 20 years working in the field, he’s seen natural disasters countless times. He said this one is massive.| RELATED: Earthquake death toll passes 5,000 as Turkey, Syria seek survivors”It will be a long-term rebuilding effort for families and communities,” McCray said. “Right now, the focus is on meeting people’s physical needs, but in the coming days and months, hopefully as the situation stabilizes, families and communities will need different types of assistance, like short-term cash assistance.”Right now, the group is working with their local partners on the ground to organize the distribution of relief items.”Things such as hygiene kits, coats, blankets and baby care kits. In a disaster of this type and magnitude the key is to meet people’s physical needs as quickly as possible, so that’s what the first phase of our emergency response will focus on,” said McCray.Video below: Aerials of collapsed buildings in northern Syria after earthquakesHe and several members of his team will eventually travel to Turkey and could be deployed for up to three to four months.| ALSO: A glance at the world’s deadliest earthquakes in past 25 yearsIf you want to assist, Lutheran World Relief says monetary donations are very helpful. You can make a contribution here..
Baltimore is already stepping up to help after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey.
Fred McCray is the senior director for humanitarian operations for Lutheran World Relief, a Baltimore-based organization. In his more than 20 years working in the field, he’s seen natural disasters countless times. He said this one is massive.
| RELATED: Earthquake death toll passes 5,000 as Turkey, Syria seek survivors
“It will be a long-term rebuilding effort for families and communities,” McCray said. “Right now, the focus is on meeting people’s physical needs, but in the coming days and months, hopefully as the situation stabilizes, families and communities will need different types of assistance, like short-term cash assistance.”
Right now, the group is working with their local partners on the ground to organize the distribution of relief items.
“Things such as hygiene kits, coats, blankets and baby care kits. In a disaster of this type and magnitude the key is to meet people’s physical needs as quickly as possible, so that’s what the first phase of our emergency response will focus on,” said McCray.
Video below: Aerials of collapsed buildings in northern Syria after earthquakes
He and several members of his team will eventually travel to Turkey and could be deployed for up to three to four months.
| ALSO: A glance at the world’s deadliest earthquakes in past 25 years
If you want to assist, Lutheran World Relief says monetary donations are very helpful. You can make a contribution here..
