Central Florida residents work to help earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria

ORLANDO, Fla. — Monday marks two weeks since an earthquake killed tens of thousands of people in Turkey and Syria.

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Rescuers are still searching for survivors in the rubble that were large buildings after many were devastated by the quake.

It’s clear from the devastation that it is going to be a long time before both of these countries recover.

Groups in Central Florida have been working to help support the earthquake victims overseas.

Watch: ‘Hard to accept’: Orlando couple among Turkey, Syria earthquake victims

More than 42,000 people have been killed in the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Though more than 5,000 miles away, the destruction hits close to home for Ozlem Durmaz Kocaoz.

“My husband, his uncles died,” Kocaoz said.

Read: Turkey: Couple saved 296 hours after quake, but children die

Though she now calls Central Florida home, she can’t help but think of her loved ones suffering in Turkey and those grieving locally.

Groups in Central Florida are working to raise awareness and collecting donations to help out.

Titusville’s Joe Hurston runs a Christian non-profit called Air Mobile Ministries, which provides technology to help clean water for people to use in the disaster area.

Read: Turkey rejects links between NATO expansion, F-16 deal

He recently flew into the area and witness the destruction firsthand.

“We need prayer. We need prayer for protection and direction,” Hurston said.

See more in the video above.

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