Turkish Business Owner In Morristown Raises Funds For Earthquake Aid

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Turkish Morristown business owner has set up a GoFundMe page to assist his family members who were severely affected by the earthquake in Turkey.

Semih Ozkaya, who owns both Apricot and Baklava cafe, organized a GoFundMe for recovery efforts for his family currently living in Turkey.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which struck Turkey and Syria, killed more than 12,000 people and injured tens of thousands, according to both nations' officials.

Ozkaya said his family is from Malatya, a large city in Turkey's Eastern Anatolia region that was hit by aftershocks from the initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

Malatya's governor said hundreds of buildings had collapsed, with snow falling on the debris, making rescue even more difficult, The New York Times reported.

"The good news is all my family members are thank god alive. But, my dearest sister with her 2 kids and her husband are homeless currently. I can't reach them physically. February 5th at 10 pm we got a text message from my sister that said 'I AM ALIVE,'" Ozkaya said on the GoFundMe page.

Ozkaya started the GoFundMe to help purchase food, warm clothes and a new shelter for his five relatives who are still in Turkey.

" They have very minimal water and one frozen piece of bread that someone in street gave to them. But, thank god they are alive that's what matters. I have to raise them with money that is the only thing I can do for them. I am sending anything I got. They have been outside on streets that have had over 30 inches of snow last 48 hours," Ozkaya wrote.

The fundraiser has generated nearly $25,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.

Apricot is located at 166 South Street in Morristown, and Baklava Cafe is located next door at 164 South Street in Morristown.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.