Response: AmeriCares has provided
over 760,000 pounds of antibiotics, blankets, bandaging materials, nutritional
supplements and other relief materials to earthquake-stricken Turkey, the
first shipment arriving within days of the August disaster.
Plans are underway for the construction
of AmeriCares' fourth housing project in Turkey. The organization
will erect a tent city for 1600 in Bolu to shelter the region's newly-homeless
population. An airlift with 100 winterized tents arrived in Istanbul
on Tuesday, January 4. The remaining 100 tents are scheduled to depart
this week.
AmeriCares has completed three long-term housing facilities to shelter those left homeless by the devastating quake of August. Recently, AmeriCares partnered with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to deliver 275 all-weather tents. The tents, fully insulated and equipped with wooden floors, heating and electricity, now provide warm housing for approximately 2,200 of Turkey's displaced population in Yalova. Sikorsky generously donated the transportation associated with this delivery. A tent city for 1,500 people is also operational in Adapazari. Electricity and running water supply the 25,000 square meter compound, which includes 200 tents and an on-site dining facility. The construction of a third, more permanent housing complex in Korfez, west-northwest of Izmit, is now complete. Its 216 pre-fabricated units, each furnished with central heating and plumbing, provide housing for over 1,700 people. A dining facility, community center, medical clinic and athletic field are also on the premises. AmeriCares fully supplies the clinic with cots, exam tables, medicines and medical supplies, and medical personnel is on hand 24 hours a day.
Situation: With the arrival of winter, the relief effort in western Turkey focuses on housing the thousands of earthquake victims without shelter. A powerful earthquake struck the nation on November 12, killing more than 700 people, injuring 5000 and leaving more than 200,000 homeless. The magnitude 7.2 jolt centered in the province of Bolu, a region halfway between Istanbul and the capital Ankara. The latest quake came just three months after the magnitude-7.4 earthquake of August 17th, which killed 17,000 people and injured an additional 44,000. According to estimates by the World Bank, Turkey incurred as much as $10 billion in damages from the latest disaster on top of an estimated $12 billion from the August quake.
Credentials: AmeriCares has delivered more than $8,500,000 in assistance to the people of Turkey since 1992. We are registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (License #A0275), and we are a licensed drug wholesaler. We are also a licensed DEA Exporter (License #RA0178170). AmeriCares solicits donations of medicines, medical supplies, and other relief materials from manufacturers, and delivers them quickly and reliably to indigenous health and welfare professionals in over 130 countries around the world. Financial contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations are used to defray the cost of AmeriCares' programs. Every dollar donated to AmeriCares is leveraged to deliver over $20 worth of aid to individuals in need. Since 1982, AmeriCares has maintained an operating overhead that is less than 2%.
Earthquake victims in Turkey still urgently need our help. AmeriCares accepts financial donations only. Please call 1.800.486.HELP or send a check, marked Turkey Earthquake Relief to AmeriCares, 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.