Plane carrying supplies for Turkey earthquake survivors takes off from North Texas

GARLAND, Texas – A plane carrying humanitarian aid from North Texas will fly to Turkey on Thursday.

The Turkish American Association of North Texas is one of several organizations collecting camping supplies, canned food, and winter clothing from multiple locations.

CONNECTED: North Texas residents gather supplies to send to Turkey after devastating earthquakes

More than 19,000 people are now confirmed to have died in Monday’s devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The hope of finding survivors also fades on the fourth day of the search. Rescuers are struggling with the harsh winter.

Turkey’s president acknowledged shortcomings in emergency response, but said winter weather was making those efforts difficult.

Help arrived there also with difficulty, because an earthquake destroyed the runway at a nearby airport.

Thousands of tractors and bulldozers are reportedly sent to clear the rubble.

CONNECTED: Here’s a look at the world’s deadliest earthquakes since 2000.

Many of the donations raised by the Turkish American Association of North Texas are intended to help survivors cope with the cold.

They need new and unused winter clothing, camping gear like tents or camp beds, durable foods, health products like first aid kits, hygiene items like soap or feminine products, and baby diapers.

Bahadir Koseli, one of the fundraising volunteers, was born in Dallas, but his entire extended family lives near the epicenter in southern Turkey.

“My cousin told me that when it happened at 4:15 am, they ran out into the street as fast as they could, and a few buildings across the street, feet away from them, were 15-story buildings that are now on the ground. “, – he said. “Unfortunately, they can’t go back to their homes, stay in tents where they can find them, and really try to keep warm in this winter weather.”

Donated materials can be dropped off at one of the following locations:

Garland
2525 South Shilo Road
Opens at 9 am

Carrollton
3235 Skylane Dr.
Opens at 10:00

Downtown Dallas
3907 Elm St.
Opens at 11:00

CONNECTED: How to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria

Turkish Airlines has asked the Turkish American Association of North Texas to deliver packages overseas free of charge. He is partnering with other Turkish-American organizations to do the same.

The first flight leaves on Thursday. Another one is scheduled for next week.