With all the devastating news titles in the world, one of the most heart wrenching natural disasters hit Syria and Turkey just recently, with the current death toll at 33,000 people. On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria. Sources are describing this earthquake as the deadliest one in the country’s history. Through countless searches to reunite separated families, calm the flooded hospitals, the trauma that this country’s citizens have faced is indescribable.

Kevin Tkachuk, George W. Perkins ’13 Memorial Master Teacher of History and Social Sciences, shared his concern for the diverse range of people affected by the sudden earthquake.

“The earthquakes in Syria and Turkey have been terrible and have made what was already a difficult and at times a tragic situation due to poverty caused by war much worse,” Tkachuk stated in an email.

“Whilst it seems the bulk of coverage the media gave the event was about the rescue efforts and a few heartwarming stories of a successful rescue, the truth is of course there has been much more tragedy than success,” Tkachuk continued.

The devastating earthquakes affected both past and present Hill community members, as well.

Lal Yatagan ’21, from Istanbul, Turkey, spoke about the devastation that the earthquake had wrought upon the communities in her country. “Everyone knows someone affected who passed away due to the earthquake,” Yatagan said. “We have been preparing for this earthquake since the 7.6 magnitudes 1999 earthquake in Istanbul for the past 20 years, but no one thought it would affect such a big area and this many people.”

Yatagan, however, saw the horrible disaster as an opportunity for national solidarity.

“Especially in times of hardship we come together. I’m so grateful for our community and all the sacrifices people are making and the support they are providing,” Yatagan said. “It’s going to take a really long time to rebuild the areas that are affected and for everything to get back to normal.”

Furthermore, Tkachuk commented that this was a time for the world community to unite and support each other. “Natural disasters obviously have tragic impacts on the area they affect, but this one, one of the worst Earthquakes in decades that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions makes for gut-wrenching reading,” Tkachuk said. “I can only hope the world comes together to provide much-needed aid to help the people of the region.”