Packages of supplies donated by Wu Wenjie to earthquake victims in Syria. Photo: Courtesy of Wu Wenjie

Hearing about the massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Shanghai resident Wu Wenjie rushed to buy some feminine hygiene products at a nearby supermarket so she could send them to some of the women in need there.

With her three friends, Wu prepared 150 packs of disposable period underwear and 60 packs of sanitary pads, which she packed into boxes with a few blankets, power banks and charging cables. 

Wu sent the packages by express on Tuesday. "Help for Syria from China," she wrote on the outside of them.

Wu is one of the increasing number of kindhearted Chinese who are donating supplies or money to rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria. In various ways, they are doing what they can to give earthquake victims there a helping hand, becoming another impressive contribution apart from China's official and organizational assistance.

One woman who goes by the screen name Ruanruan, for instance, has reportedly collected 6,000 packs of sanitary pads from donors, which she sent to women in Syria. 

"I believe that women have no borders; we are all connected," she told Chinese media.

Packages containing several hundred sets of cotton-padded and down coats donated by Zhou Chuchu and her husband to earthquake victims in Turkey. Photo: Courtesy of Zhou Chuchu

Wu chose to donate feminine hygiene products, since she thought women run into more hygiene issues during disasters than men. 

"Especially women in the Middle East, whose situation may not get enough attention, in my understanding," she told the Global Times, saying that hygiene products such as sanitary pads are necessities for women.

The 28-year-old called the Syrian Embassy in China to get information about the correct channels to make the donation. She then mailed the package to a designated warehouse in Shanghai which is collecting donated supplies and transporting them to Syria.

Last week, in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, garment exporters Zhou Chuchu and her husband quickly packed several hundred sets of cotton-padded and down coats to donate to earthquake victims in Turkey. 

"There was a direct flight from Wenzhou to Turkey on Monday, and we didn't want to miss it," Zhou recalled.

After hearing about the tragedy, Zhou immediately contacted a Turkish friend of hers to know what supplies were needed. 

"It's cold there, and our winter garments can help," she said.

Xie Changfeng, also a Wenzhou-based garment exporter, sent 1,000 sets of winter garments to the Turkish Consulate General in Shanghai last week, and has prepared another 500 sets for a second donation. Including Xie and the couple, seven garment traders in Wenzhou donated 11,000 sets of winter clothes in total to Turkey, the Global Times learned.

"We just did something that we think we should do," Zhou noted. 

"We believe love has no borders."

Packages containing several hundred sets of cotton-padded and down coats donated by Zhou Chuchu and her husband to earthquake victims in Turkey. Photo: Courtesy of Zhou Chuchu

Abroad, overseas Chinese are actively donating to earthquake victims as well. A businessman in Los Angeles told the Global Times that apart from donating money, he and some 70 local Chinese residents formed a temporary group to arrange donations.

Some affected areas in Turkey are in urgent need of sleeping bags, tents and electric generators, said the businessman, who asked not to be named. 

"The more than 1,000 sleeping bags we purchased are on the way," he told the Global Times.

The group is considering donating to Syria, although that is not easy due to US sanctions. 

"We may go to some American lawmakers [for help], and try to seek new channels for transporting supplies to Syria," he said.