NJ's Syrian American mayors urge help for earthquake victims
New Jersey’s three Syrian American mayors issued an urgent plea on Tuesday calling on the White House and the international community to send help to victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria “before it’s too late.”
Montvale Michael Ghassali, Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah and Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh urged leaders to send equipment to rescue people still trapped in rubble after the earthquake toppled thousands of buildings.
“Right now, we are in a race against time to save hundreds, if not thousands, of people that are trapped and still may be alive,” Khairullah said. “It is imperative that we work with our partners at the federal level and abroad to fight to ensure no stone is left unturned to find every remaining survivor.”
They also called for the U.S. to identify organizations where Americans can donate without being flagged due to sanctions against the Syrian government. Ghassali asked that the U.S. temporarily lift sanctions to help resources reach people in need.
“With the death toll rising and thousands without shelter or food, this is becoming a humanitarian disaster by the minute,” Ghassali said.
Sanctions, political divisions and corruption had made it difficult to deliver supplies and aid to war-ravaged Syria even before the earthquake. Damage to roads and infrastructure has also hampered delivery of humanitarian aid.
The earthquake has killed at least 8,000 people, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescuers reach affected areas. Some New Jersey residents said Tuesday that they were still trying to reach loved ones and feared they had not survived.
Khairullah and Ghassali were born in Aleppo, Syria, one of the areas affected by the earthquake, which struck early Monday. Sayegh’s mother is a Syrian immigrant from Aleppo.
North Jersey, where all three mayors hold office, is home to large Turkish and Syrian communities, especially in Paterson. In South Paterson, the business district often called Little Istanbul is known for its cluster of Syrian, Turkish and Palestinian stores, restaurants and bakeries.
Turkish- and Syrian-owned businesses and local nonprofits are holding fundraisers and collecting items including winter clothing, tents and medicines to send abroad. They worry about the survivors, who are battling homelessness and frigid weather amid shortages of food, medicine and fuel.
“We are joining forces to save lives in Syria and Turkey,” Sayegh said. “This is a humanitarian effort that requires complete cooperation and seamless coordination. I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my fellow Americans in this endeavor.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ's Syrian American mayors urge federal help for earthquake victims
