2011-12-01
Follow-up Assessment for the Earthquake in Turkey

AMDA's second team of two arrived in Istanbul on the 27th of November and held a meeting with KIMSE YOK MU with whom AMDA's first team of doctors worked in collaboration just after the first earthquake that devastated Van Province.

The purpose of the second team is to assess the current situation and living condition after the earthquakes that affected Van Province. AMDA team arrived in Van city on 28th of November 2011. With the help of KIMSE YOK MU AMDA evaluated the situation in the township of Van where most of the damage came from the second earthquake, and the town of Ercis that was badly devastated by the first earthquake.

The team visited the Sahara hospital site, which is fully managed and run by the health ministry of Turkey, in Ercis where AMDA's first team was working. The hospital is well organized with the team, consisting of 18 doctors, 49 nurses and midwives, and 130 other professionals including laboratory technicians. The hospital has all the necessary medical drugs and equipment needed and all provided by the government. All the people who were displaced and left homeless have been accommodated in temporary tents and single room container style homes. They have also been provided with enough food and water from the government and other local organizations. AMDA donated some disinfectant hand gel to the government medical team "UMKE".

AMDA team also visited the local governor's office and discussed about the situation in Ercis and conveyed the idea of conducting a friendly soccer program in the near future. The director of disaster unit at the governor's office appreciated it as a great idea and welcomed the initiative. The director who is also the principal of the Ercis high school, is assisting the Governor under the emergency situation. At the end of the meeting the director kindly conveyed the following message to the people of Japan. "Japan and the people of Japan has always been a good friend of Turkey and its people. They have supported us whenever needed and being an earthquake-prone country Japan understands the suffering of our people very well".

All the camps and hospitals have been generously provided with all the necessary items and logistics. The education ministry is also moving logistics to conduct schooling facilities at the camp level from early next month.

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