How Manitobans can help victims of the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye, Syria
Manitoba’s Islamic community is mobilizing to help after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake-ravaged areas of Turkiye and Syria early Monday morning.
“We're just devastated. Every day or every morning, the news is getting worse right now. So we're very sad across the community, and I'm sure across the province,” Manitoba Islamic Association vice-chair and treasurer Ruheen Aziz told CTV Morning Live Winnipeg in an interview Wednesday.
She said members of the association have family in Turkiye and Syria. Many have had difficulty communicating with loved ones due to the ongoing fallout from the quake, which killed more than 11,000 people, with thousands more injured.
“There's still war and displacement happening in parts of Syria, and so we're all just kind of waiting to hear more from back home,” Aziz said.
The death toll is expected to rise more as search and rescue operations continue in the aftermath of the world’s deadliest earthquake in more than a decade.
Search teams from more than two dozen countries have joined tens of thousands of local emergency responders on the ground in Syria and Turkiye.
The Canadian government announced Tuesday it will send $10 million for relief efforts as part of an initial aid package. International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan also said the feds are conducting a needs assessment to look at sending further aid.
Aziz hopes the government will also match donations made by Canadians. The association is currently raising funds on its website in conjunction with Islamic Relief Canada.
If you’re not able to donate money, Aziz said there are other ways to offer support.
“We've had a tremendous amount of Syrian refugees come and join Manitoba and become neighbours to us. So if you know somebody who is from that community, reach out. Lend an ear. Lend your support.”
- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TREND LINE | Poilievre surpasses Trudeau when it comes to preferred prime minister: Nanos
The federal Liberals are trending downward on three key measures while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has surpassed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when it comes to the question of who Canadians would prefer now as their prime minister, according to Nanos Research.

BREAKING | Responding to Indigenous, Vatican rejects Discovery Doctrine
The Vatican on Thursday responded to Indigenous demands and formally repudiated the 'Doctrine of Discovery,' the theories backed by 15th-century 'papal bulls' that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of Native lands and form the basis of some property law today.
opinion | This is how much debt is normal for your age
Have you ever stopped to wonder how much debt is typical for your age?
'Leave this with me': Alberta premier heard on call with COVID-19 protester
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, in a leaked cellphone call, commiserated with a COVID-19 protester about his trial while divulging to him there was an internal dispute over how Crown prosecutors were handling COVID-19 cases.
As Canadians miss out on benefits, Ottawa promises automatic tax filing is on the way
The Canada Revenue Agency will pilot a new automatic system next year to help vulnerable Canadians who don't file their taxes get their benefits. This week's federal budget says the Canada Revenue Agency will also present a plan in 2024 to expand the service, following consultations with stakeholders and community organizations.
'I started breaking down:' Friends remember 15-year-old Calgary homicide victim
A 15-year-old girl shot to death in the community of Martindale early Tuesday morning, has now been identified by friends and police as Sarah Alexis Jorquera.
Canada makes amendments to foreign homebuyers ban – here's what they look like
Months after Canada's ban on foreign homebuyers took effect on Jan. 1, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has made several amendments to the legislation allowing non-Canadians to purchase residential properties in certain circumstances.
'It's going to take the community': Yukon faces Canada's worst toxic drug death rate
When the doors close at night at the administration office at Yukon's Carcross Tagish First Nation, a van hits the road and drives through the communities to offer naloxone to reverse overdoses, drug testing kits, food and even a friendly face to help those struggling because of the opioid crisis.
Silicon Valley Bank's chaos has been bittersweet for crypto and wine
Silicon Valley Bank's collapse earlier this month dealt a major blow to the wine and crypto firms that entrusted their money with and depended on the lender to stay afloat.