(upbeat music) - Hi, everyone.

Steve Adubato.

We kick off the program today with Sait Onal, who is president of the Turkish Cultural Center of Pennsylvania.

Sait, thank you so much for joining us.

- Thank you, Steve, for inviting and showing interest in this tragedy that impacted millions of people.

- We're taping in the beginning of the spring of 2023.

Put in perspective the tragedy in Turkey, this earthquake, the damage that it's done, not just in terms of loss of life which you have experienced very personally, but to the country, please.

- Well, you know, (sighs) being away from home, it's always tough because you can't share the happiness and then of course, you're not there for them to share the pain and suffering when they have.

And when we find out about this, including my hometown, Antakya, this really impacted me and a lot of people around the world that looked at this situation how heavy the loss of human life.

This has been tough.

This has been tough to swallow this time.

- I'm gonna put up the website for Embrace Relief.

What is that organization, Sait?

And why is it so important that the organizations like this that are helping those who are suffering, struggling, who have lost, so many have lost so much, particularly when this issue, this tragedy is not quote, "in the news" in the way it was when the earthquake happened?

Please.

- Embrace Relief is one of the many organizations really are there to serve when there is a need around the world.

And I'm really appreciating their efforts.

The need is so huge in Turkey with this earthquake.

About 11 cities and all the towns around it has been destroyed.

Some of them destroyed completely.

So, Embrace Relief has started from day one, a relief effort to bring attention and collect donations to help the people in need.

As of today, it's almost 45 days after the earthquake there are still a lot of basic needs are not satisfied in the area.

So, there are people who are looking for a tent, food, clothes and other basic necessities, unfortunately in the area.

So, Embrace Relief has started this and is making a big impact.

I really appreciate what they do and all other organizations as well.

- Your personal loss is unimaginable.

I'm not even comfortable asking you this but I know you share this with our producers, so talk to us.

- You know, this is really tough to talk.

My sister, my brother-in-law and her son passed away in this earthquake.

I spoke to her Saturday the day before the earthquake.

It was just a God's gift, I guess, a way that God wanted me to say goodbye to her.

She dialed my phone at night when I was at sleep.

Saturday morning when I saw I missed a call, I called her back.

I said, "Is there something wrong?"

You called me in the middle of the night?

And she said, "No, it was just an accident, I must have."

And that was my goodbye to her.

And I still have a tough time to believe that she's gone.

You know, it is difficult for me, but this is what happened and I miss her a lot.

- You haven't been able to go back, have you?

- Yep, about two years ago during the COVID, I lost my brother, an older brother, and also I couldn't go.

And then my sister and her family, I can't go.

Because of what happened in Turkey, seven years ago, me and a lot of people like me who are, you know, criticizing the Turkish government for their U-turn from democracy and rule of law, now, we are not welcomed in Turkey.

So, I can't attend their funeral.

I can't attend to a wedding, I can't attend to any occasion or just a visit simply because I miss my country.

- Help people understand, Sait, the president of Turkey and the kind of leader that Erdogan is and what you just described is happening to so many.

- Well, you know, Turkey has been struggling to establish a real democracy over 100 years now.

About 25 years or so ago, these people in charge of country now, last 22, 23 years, they came with the big claim that they're gonna bring democracy and rule of law, and human rights, and European membership, and a better democracy.

And many people, including myself have supported them for this.

And they have done some to improve the country's democracy and the league that they belong to.

But the corruption really simply and poisoning by the power, for this, he has started a witch hunt to everyone around him that may be a danger for his future or make sure that he stays in power.

So with that corruption, he didn't want anyone to take him away for this or lose the power.

And he started taking everyone in opposition down and labeling people with one thing or another.

And now he is a dictator in Turkey, making sure that no one actually challenges him anymore.

- But how has he responded?

How's the government responded to the earthquake?

- It was terrible.

It was terrible.

My sister and family and a lot of people under the rubbles has waited almost three days before anyone showed up from the government.

Not only this was a terrible way of responding but it was a criminal because we hear that he has single-handed stopped the rescue efforts from international communities coming in.

He delayed them to arrive to the area or the Turkish organizations couldn't get there enough or they didn't have the tools or what they needed to save people.

People died in the cold weather under the rubbles, waiting for someone, screaming and yelling for help.

This is a criminal charge against this government.

(clears throat) Not only a neglect and bad management - Sait, I wanna thank you for joining us.

We are very sorry for your loss, a very personal loss, family members, the loss of so many people in Turkey that they've experienced.

But also just to remind folks, we're based in New Jersey.

There's a huge Turkish population in New Jersey.

Many of those folks, Sait included, have family there.

So one more time, the website Embrace Relief.

That organization is directly involved in providing direct support and relief to those struggling and suffering in Turkey since this earthquake.

Sait, we wish you all the best.

Thank you very much.

- Thank you, Steve, for your help and support.

Thank you so much.

- Thank you.

Stay with us.

We'll be right back.

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