Afghan students attending Turkish universities are contributing to Turkey’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Students, who found themselves idle when the country shut down universities amid the outbreak decided to make protective face masks as a line of defense against the coronavirus for free. So far, they have produced 1.5 million masks.
Mask production is currently limited to the northern province of Trabzon where they study. The Afghan Hazaras Culture and Solidarity Association based in the province, which is home to a sizeable migrant population, initially came up with the idea. When the nonprofit organization stepped up to help the fight against the pandemic, students volunteered. At a workshop originally used by a learning center in the province, they sew masks every day and personally deliver them to places in need, particularly hospitals.
The association’s president, Muhammet Gül, told Ihlas News Agency (IHA) Friday that students have been very forthcoming in helping them. “Apart from sewing masks, they deliver hygiene kits both to migrants and Turkish citizens here. They delivered food aid to people quarantined at home because of the virus. Now, they deliver blankets, beds and other materials for needy families,” he said.
