Ron David Butler

Photographer

Kurds in Canada Search For Loved Ones After the Devastating Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

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Location: Toronto, Canada

Nationality: Canadian

Biography: Ron David Butler is a photographer and filmmaker based in Toronto, Canada. Utilizing both film and photography in his documentary practice, Ron's work has appeared in CBC Arts, Vice, and Eater, amongst others.

Murat shows a photograph of his...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Murat shows a photograph of his wife and baby. His home was destroyed by the eartquake, trapping his wife and child in the building. In order to escape, his baby had to be carefully thrown down from the window of their multilevel building. Though his baby escaped uninjured, his wife too had to escape from the window but broke her leg in the fall. Many surviviors in places like Adiyaman are facing significant injuries such as broken limbs, but because of filled hospitals, destroyed buildings and no access to aid and supply, they are suffer in freezing temperatures unable to receive care. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

People gather at the Canadian K...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

People gather at the Canadian Kurdish Community Centre to offer solidarity and support with those who lost loved ones to the earthquakes, while also trying to gather information and communicate with friends and family affected by the devastation. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Volunteers speak with people lo...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Volunteers speak with people looking to get information about loved ones affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

The kurdish community gathers t...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

The kurdish community gathers to mourn lost loved ones and raise support for friends and families who are survivors of the devastating earthquakes who now face freezing temperatures and lack of shelter and supplies. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

While some mourn lost loved one...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

While some mourn lost loved ones, others offer solidarity and support as they wait to hear news about family and friends suffering from the devastation of the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Kemal in the Canadian Kurdish C...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Kemal in the Canadian Kurdish Community centre. Kemal lost his brother Abuzer to the deadly earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria in the early hours of February 6th. He talked of the distruction, loss of life and the suffering of extended family and friends as they grapple with cold winter conditions and lack of shelter. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Many in the Canadian Kurdish Co...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Many in the Canadian Kurdish Community Centre spoke of fears of massive underreporting on the number of dead in Turkey and Syria. Many believe just from communication with friends and family in Adiyaman alone, the number of dead could be in the thousands, if not tens of thousands. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Volunteers speak with people looking to get information about loved ones affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

People gather in the Canadian K...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

People gather in the Canadian Kurdish Community Centre to offer solidarity and support with those who lost loved ones to the earthquakes, while also trying to gather information and communicate with friends and family affected by the devastation. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Fearful members of the Canadian...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Fearful members of the Canadian Kurdish Community Centre show photographs and videos of the devastation of Adiyaman in Turkey. Wrapped bodies line the streets and various buildings as survivors attempt to find a way to deal with the city's dead, the smell of bodies, and the lack of food, water, and medical and sanitation supplies. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Erdogan's mother was ki...o, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

Erdogan's mother was killed during the destruction of the horrific earthquakes that have devastated Turkey and Syria. Other friends and family members suffered signifacnt injuries and lost loved ones under the collapse of buildings. They now face freezing temperatures outside, as well as lack of food, clean water and medical resources. Toronto, Canada, February 10th, 2022.

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Public Story

Kurds in Canada Search For Loved Ones After the Devastating Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Updated Feb 2023

Location Toronto

Topics Spotlight

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