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Türkiye

Turkey - Earthquake Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2012

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TURKEY – EARTHQUAKE KEY DEVELOPMENTS

· On October 23, at approximately 1341 hours local time, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck 10 miles from the city of Van in eastern Turkey, at a depth of 12.4 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The initial earthquake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks, including one of magnitude 6.0.

· As of October 30, the Government of Turkey (GoT) reported that the earthquake had resulted in more than 600 deaths, approximately 4,100 injuries, and significant displacement due to collapsed or damaged buildings. Rain and below-freezing temperatures in the days following the earthquake have exacerbated conditions for displaced and other earthquake-affected individuals.

· Initially, the GoT declined offers of international assistance, opting instead to rely on its own robust emergency response management systems to respond to the effects of the earthquake. However, as the need for shelter increased, and in recognition of the international community’s willingness to provide assistance, the GoT formally requested assistance on October 25.

· On October 25, U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr., declared a disaster due to the effects of the earthquake. In response, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) contributed $300,000 for earthquake relief activities and deployed a USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor (RA) to affected areas to help coordinate U.S. Government (USG) response efforts. USAID/OFDA is also supporting a USGS Earthquake Disaster Assistance Team (EDAT) mission to Turkey. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) delivered relief commodities through a series of five airlifts.

· On November 1, a USG delegation, including USAID/OFDA and U.S. Embassy staff, surveyed earthquake damage in the earthquake-affected cities of Erciş and Van. The USG delegation observed less damage than anticipated in Erciş, with an estimated one in 10 to 15 buildings significantly damaged or collapsed and the majority of structures sustaining little visible damage. In Van, USAID and U.S. Embassy staff observed no collapsed buildings and few displaced persons residing in tents. Additional damage to predominantly one-story homes was dispersed throughout the 92 surrounding villages in the affected region. A Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS) official in Erciş reported that the organization does not require additional relief commodities at this time.