At an address in Abbey, Fifth Form pupil Emir has recalled his experience of a small earthquake whilst in Turkey some years ago, and highlighted the devastation of the February 2023 earthquakes, calling on his fellow pupils to continue their fundraising efforts.

Speaking to the school from the pulpit of Westminster Abbey, College pupil Emir spoke of being six-years-old and cowering with his sister in the corner of an apartment block room whilst on holiday — a “horrible memory”, even more so knowing that the recent natural disaster was 16,000 times stronger. “Two minutes was all it took to tear a region apart and the livelihoods of all in its wake”, he said. “Huge apartment blocks were reduced to mere piles of rubble akin to a quarry, with children and adults alike trapped below.”

Emir’s address, which you can read in full below, mentioned his recent fundraising for the London-based Turkey Mozaik Foundation, with a JustGiving page so far netting £1,500.

He also called on his fellow pupils to continue to be involved. A school bake sale was held before half term, and this Saturday (4 March), pupils are encouraged to donate once again on a non-uniform day.

Address to Abbey
Emir (Fifth Form, CC)
Monday 27 February 2023

When I was six or seven years old, I was on holiday in the south west of Turkey. While sitting with my grandparents in their living room on the fourth floor of an apartment block, the building suddenly started to shake.

At first, it was gentle, almost negligible, but then it soon became vigorous. Immediately, my grandfather began herding us close to the door, away from the shaking objects on the shelves. There was no easy escape from the building.

At the time, I was not old enough to understand the consequences of natural disasters. My sister, however, aged around 11, was. She started to cry – I remember that moment vividly – the look on her face and my parents trying to console her. It seemed like a lifetime, but in reality, it was all over in 25 seconds. We were lucky. As far as I know, no one died that day, and only minor damage was inflicted on buildings nearby. Even now, when I think of my sister and how we cowered together in the corner of a room, being shaken like jelly, it’s a horrible memory.

The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria exactly three weeks ago today were, more or less, 630 times bigger and 16,000 times stronger than the one I experienced. It was so powerful that tremors were reportedly felt in Northern Egypt. These quakes formed a crack in the ground spanning the same distance as London to Manchester.

Two minutes was all it took to tear a region apart and the livelihoods of all in its wake. Huge apartment blocks were reduced to mere piles of rubble akin to a quarry, with children and adults alike trapped below. Aid is sparse due to the devastation, and families have no choice but to use their hands to try and dig out their loved ones. They have little hope now, all is gone. The current death toll is unfathomably high, and without action, it will continue to rise.

Being part of a Turkish family myself, the catastrophic impact of this earthquake has been so painful to watch. It reminded me of my own experience, but knowing how much worse it all is, plus the further earthquake last Monday, I can only imagine how horrific it’s been for those who have lost everything.

Through disasters like this, people lose not only what they own but also their sense of home, of belonging. And when something like this happens, everything becomes overwhelming.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been fundraising in College for those affected by these devastating earthquakes and chose the Turkey Mozaik Foundation to direct all that we raise. I chose them because they are UK based and focus specifically on directing their resources towards creating positive social change. Through all that’s been happening, they have been there – on the ground – pulling people out of the rubble, then sheltering and caring for all who are now displaced by the after-effects of the earthquake.

But I’m standing here today because it’s not something restricted to one House. The invitation is for all of us to get involved. And for those of you who want to, or can donate, please look out for links on Westminster’s socials and on the intranet. Any, and all, donations will be hugely appreciated. Thank you!