Category Archives: Turkey quake 2011

Caritas staff distribute coal to families living outside in tents after earthquakes ruined their homes. Photo: Caritas Turkey

Caritas Turkey continues to help people made homeless by two earthquakes in the east of the country. After a second quake struck in early November, thousands of buildings slightly damaged by the October quake became uninhabitable. Many of the residents of the city of Van have fled to other parts of Turkey, but those without means to flee have stayed behind, in many cases without proper shelter or heating.

“Van is a very poor area, and right now the temperate is dropping to -12 C at night,” says Belinda Mumcu of Caritas Turkey. “There are thousands of people living in the cold, staying in overcrowded tents.”

“There is a general distrust of buildings, and so people are staying outdoors,” she continues. “Our Caritas field team notices that even in villages without any significant damage, the inhabitants camp outside.”

Caritas initially distributed diapers, baby food, plastic sheets, coats for children, and other supplies to needy families in villages surrounding Van. After the second quake, Caritas reassessed Van city, inspecting tent camps and using GPS equipment to track places in particular need of shelter and stoves. Continue reading →

Rescue workers work to save people trapped under debris after an earthquake in Ercis, near the eastern Turkish city of Van, early October 24, 2011. Credit: REUTERS/Umit Bektas courtesy of alertnet.org

Read in French

Update from Caritas Turkey team :
The earthquake that hit Van region last Sunday was very severe. The region is not easily accessible, so transportation and distribution of aid items is complicated. Many people lost their homes and at night the temperature drops below zero. We already sent 1200 sleeping bags that we had in stock. As a first response, we will send blankets, coats, plastic sheeting and other items. We’ll do an assessment to understand the needs in the villages, and will continue closely monitoring developments.
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A Caritas Turkey team is en route to a region that was hit by a powerful earthquake on Sunday. The quake, which occurred in an eastern province of Turkey, killed over 200 people in cities there and brought down dozens of buildings.

Caritas will assess the needs of people whose homes or livelihoods have been impacted by the quake. Access to the area’s villages, where many mud-brick homes have collapsed, may be difficult.

Caritas Europa is in contact with the Caritas team in Turkey and will receive updates as the assessment progresses.

Dimanche, un puissant séisme a frappé l’est de la Turquie

Message de l’équipe de Caritas Turquie
Le tremblement de terre dans la région de Van dimanche dernier est assez grave. La zone est difficilement accessible ce qui rend difficile l’acheminement et la distribution de l’aide.
La nuit le thermomètre descend au dessous de zéro et de nombreuses personnes dans la région ont perdu leur maison et sont sans abris.
Nous avons déjà envoyé 1200 sacs de couchage que nous avions en stock.
Dans un premier temps allons aussi envoyer des couvertures, des vestes pour les enfants ainsi que des bâches.

Nous suivons de près les évolutions sur le terrain et nous vous tiendrons au courant de la situation.
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Une équipe de Caritas Turquie est en route vers la région pour faire une évaluation de la situation et des moyens à mettre en œuvre pour répondre au séisme d’une magnitude de 7,2 qui a secoué dimanche la province orientale turque de Van.

Le séisme a fait 217 morts et 1 090 blessés, selon le dernier bilan présenté lundi par les autorités gouvernementales turques.

Toutefois, le bilan pourrait s’alourdir, certains villages de la région touchée par cette catastrophe peuvent être difficiles d’accès .

Caritas Europe est en contact avec l’équipe de Caritas Turquie et recevra des mises à jour régulières.