-OBI and Longtime Partner, the German Charity Humedica, Team-Up To Provide Relief-
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (October 26, 2010) -- Operation Blessing International (OBI) and its longtime disaster relief partner, the German charity Humedica, are in Turkey to provide relief for victims of a 7.2.magnitude earthquake that hit the eastern part of the nation last Sunday (Oct. 23).
To date, more than 430 have died with some 1,352 reported injured, as rescue teams continue to search for survivors beneath the rubble. Turkey is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it sits on major geological fault lines, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
OBI and a Humedica medical team arrived in the city of Van on Tuesday evening (10/25) and then set up a field hospital at a local gym in Ercis. Both OBI and Humedica are working with Turkish government medical teams to help victims.
Today, OBI secured and distributed two truckloads of bottled water, 3,500 ready to eat meals, diaper kits and other materials to a camp with some 170 displaced families.
Here are brief video reports by OBI's David Darg on initial relief efforts: http://www.ob.org/_video/2011_1025_turkey.asp http://vimeo.com/31163408
According to news reports, an aftershock with a magnitude of 5.4 shook the province of Van. The Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute said the epicenter of the aftershock was Degirmenozu, between Van and Ercis, which was worst hit.
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ABOUT OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL: Operation Blessing International (OBI) is one of the largest charities in America, providing strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water and community development in 23 countries around the world on a daily basis. OBI was awarded Charity Navigator's coveted 4 star rating for sound fiscal management for the 7th year in a row (2011), a feat that only 2% of rated charities have ever achieved. In November 2010, Forbes named OBI as the 6th most efficient charity in America. Additionally, the Chronicle of Philanthropy currently ranks OBI as the 23rd largest charity and the 6th largest international charity. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing International has touched the lives of more than 235 million people in more than 105 countries and 50 states, providing goods and services valued at over $2.7 billion to date.