Titusville nonprofit donates water purifiers to earthquake victims in Turkey, Syria

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — More than 25,000 people have died after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake pummeled southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria.

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And millions are without homes.

Both countries are facing a humanitarian crisis, with the search and recovery efforts still underway days after the disaster.

Read: AT&T offers support to customers following earthquake in Turkey, Syria

In Central Florida, a team from Titusville will make the trek to Turkey.

Air Mobile Ministries is taking food, clothing and fresh water to people recovering from the disaster.

The faith-based organization’s leader, Joe Hurston, is no stranger to disaster recovery.

Read: Central Florida groups working on relief efforts for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria

His organization has responded to tragedies all over the world for years.

Hurston takes loads of supplies on every trip. He said the machine that purifies water is the most important.

Read: Brevard County nonprofit reaches Poland-Ukraine border to deliver portable water purifiers

The team met Saturday morning at the Space Coast Regional Airport. Their next stop was Miami, where they caught a flight to Turkey.

“This (earthquake) is really bad in this region. It’s the worst in 100 years,” Thurston said. “The death toll is rising (and) it’s just going to be a matter of hours before clean water is going to be one of the major needs.”

Video: Central Florida groups working on relief efforts for earthquake victims in Turkey, Syria The devastation seen in the wake of the powerful earthquake that’s killed thousands in Turkey and Syria is being felt in Central Florida and around the world. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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