"We were and are working together to be the hope and the solution to those in need."
In the hours after the earthquakes, the Class of 2004 rallied together to provide relief, and are continuing with long-term support. Özlem Pasın Unsal tells the story.
“An awakening – it was as hours, days, weeks passed by. One by one we were called to service, a natural inner calling.
“As of Day 1, one of us sent out his team of operators and cranes as another one directed caravans and ambulances for rescue. On Day 2, three of us were concerting food, drinks and other materials of need and were in search for semi-trailer trucks. On Day 3, a number of us found ourselves in the middle of the rescue calls and team organizations. On Day 4, the calls for tents and containers began and we were discussing relocation and transportation options. We were working together around the clock from Istanbul, NY, Montreal and beyond. By the end of first week, we were active in a lot of areas in multiple cities including organizing international aid distributions to cold chain medication and food storage. We put in a lot of effort to send out a voluntary team of physicians to Hatay and when they reached Hatay that is when we realized that everything we have done has been changing lives on the other end.
“Since then, we are continuing our support with corporate hirings, educational scholarships and more. We were and are working together to be the hope and the solution to those in need beyond politics and everything, we did all from the heart. Our efforts and work may be a grain of sand when we think of the millions of people impacted by the earthquake, yet we were the light when people were waiting in the dark.”
Published July 2023
