By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
    Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
    September 27, 2023
    Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
    Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
    September 27, 2023
    UNDP, MBRF launch online learning initiative for Arab countries
    UNDP, MBRF launch online learning initiative for Arab countries
    September 27, 2023
    Egypt Post invests in Roaderz platform to enhance e-commerce, delivery services
    Egypt Post invests in Roaderz platform to enhance e-commerce, delivery services
    September 27, 2023
    GAFI to grant 45 more golden licences to boost investment
    GAFI to grant 45 more golden licences to boost investment
    September 27, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
    Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
    September 27, 2023
    CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
    CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
    September 27, 2023
    Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
    Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
    September 27, 2023
    Egypt denounces Houthi attack on Bahraini forces in Saudi Arabia
    Egypt denounces Houthi attack on Bahraini forces in Saudi Arabia
    September 27, 2023
    vPalestine urges international action to end Israeli occupation, crimes
    Palestine urges international action to end Israeli occupation, crimes
    September 26, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Microsoft Egypt aims to provide advanced AI models, build solid AI ecosystem: Mirna Arif
    Microsoft Egypt aims to provide advanced AI models, build solid AI ecosystem: Mirna Arif
    September 18, 2023
    I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry
    I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry
    September 14, 2023
    Sustainability, digital transformation at the heart of our strategy: Heidelberg Materials Egypt
    Sustainability, digital transformation at the heart of our strategy: Heidelberg Materials Egypt
    September 12, 2023
    India welcomes Egypt's BRICS membership: Boosting trade, investment, and access to strategic commodities
    India welcomes Egypt’s BRICS membership: Boosting trade, investment, and access to strategic commodities
    September 11, 2023
    The box office is not a measure of success: Basma Hassan
    The box office is not a measure of success: Basma
    September 6, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: Istanbul gathers to donate blood to wounded after terrorist attack
Share
Notification
Latest News
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Business
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Business
Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
Politics Egypt
CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
Politics
Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
Politics Egypt
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > World > Istanbul gathers to donate blood to wounded after terrorist attack
World

Istanbul gathers to donate blood to wounded after terrorist attack

Deutsche Welle
Last updated: 2016/06/30 at 3:24 AM
By Deutsche Welle 5 Min Read
Share
SHARE

People in Istanbul are becoming accustomed to terrorist attacks, but finding a way to cope hardly makes it better, reports Anna Lekas Miller.
Even though it is the middle of a workday, there is a waiting list at the blood donation center in the main square of Istanbul’s Kadikoy neighborhood.

“I’m here every day,” Hafize, an energetic nurse, tells DW, using her first break in three hours to organize paperwork from people who had already come to the clinic to donate blood.

“But today is far busier than usual,” she continues. “Lots of people are coming in response to the attacks last night.”

Tuesday night, a suicide bomber exploded himself outside the arrivals hall of Ataturk International Airport, killing 41 and injuring more than 230 in a coordinated attack with two armed gunmen. Chaos reigned at the airport as windows shattered, and bodies were hastily covered in sheets. Ambulance sirens ripped through the streets as the casualty reports mounted. Loved ones of those arriving, or stuck inside, gathered outside the airport, waiting for information.

The morning after, dozens of people gathered to donate blood – and help the wounded.

Coming to people’s aid

“I’ve never given blood before,” said Ali, a 32-year-old lawyer working in the neighborhood, standing on the steps of the donation center, a small truck parked in the center of the main square in trendy Kadikoy.

“But after last night, I figured that now is as good as a time as any to start.”

Anyone who arrives at the clinic is asked to fill out an extensive health survey, covering everything that could possibly keep them from giving blood, from whether they have diabetes to whether they have recently gotten a tattoo. Next, they are weighed. If they weigh less than 50 kilos (110 pounds), they are turned away. However, if they meet the necessary health requirements, one of the nurses takes their blood pressure, and leads them to one of four chairs where they have their blood drawn.

Once they are finished, they can help themselves to a table of orange soda.

“Our country has seen so much bloodshed over the past two years,” Ali continues, referring to multiple terrorist attacks that have hit Istanbul and Ankara, as well as the ongoing violence in the southeastern region of the country. Even though he didn’t personally know anyone trapped inside of the airport, his uncle was flying into a nearby airport last night, making the attacks hit close to home.

“I wish we would stop separating people because of their religion, or political allegiances,” he continued. “That’s the only thing that would really stop the attackers.”

Wave of terrorist attacks

This is the 14th terrorist attack to take place in Turkey in 2016 – the majority of which have been claimed by the “Islamic State” group or Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) militants.

“We aren’t a stranger to this kind of attack anymore,” says Merve, a 29-year-old, working in a nearby office.

“What scares me the most is that I’m a mother,” she continues. “What kind of world is this for our children? It could have been any of us, and any of our children killed in the airport last night.”

‘We are just trying to do what we can’

Inside the clinic, the small staff of nurses were preparing for a busy rest of the day.

“The attack happened – we can’t do anything about that,” said Onur, a middle-aged nurse alternating between organizing incoming donors to fill out paperwork and drawing blood himself. “But we hope this can at least support the victims.”

Along the walls of the truck, vials are carefully organized by blood type. Soon after, they are labeled, boxed and transported to nearby hospitals. While the blood drawn today will go to help the victims being treated in the hospitals near the airport, this blood truck was also activated following the attacks earlier this year in Ankara and Istanbul. As time goes by, the nurses are becoming more accustomed to responding to these disasters.

“We aren’t heroes,” he continues, smiling. “We are just trying to do what we can.”

You Might Also Like

Pope Francis denounces ‘invasion’ rhetoric on migrants

World leaders adopt political declaration to eradicate poverty, protect planet

Opinion| France loses its African “colonies” after coups

Opinion| Camp David Summit and efforts to form ‘Asian NATO’ to confront China

Burkina Faso, Mali deploy warplanes in Niger 

TAGGED: Blood, Istanbul, terrorist attack
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article IKEA recalls millions of chests and dressers
Next Article UK stocks erase all post-vote losses
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Business
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Business
Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
Politics Egypt
CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
Politics
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?