Cagri Han Karatas, a member of Copenhagen International Rotary Club, is on his way to Van in Eastern Turkey today, Tuesday, October 25th, to help assess the need for ShelterBox disaster relief in the light of the 7.2-richter earthquake which devastated the area Sunday.
Cagri Han will be a part of a team led by ShelterBox Field Operations Specialist Mark Pearson who is travelling from the UK.
“One of the biggest problems the population will face will be the numerous aftershocks and a fear of returning to buildings when so many have been destroyed already. As ever our focus is ensuring the most vulnerable are receiving aid as quickly as possible,' Mark said.
Two hundred people have been reported as killed following the collapse of dozens of buildings across the region; with thousands more homes severely damaged and many more fatalities expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours.
Zulfukar Arapoglu, the mayor of Ercis district of Van, told news broadcaster NTV: ‘A lot of buildings have collapsed, many people were killed, but we don't know the number. We are waiting for emergency help, it's very urgent.
‘We need tents urgently and rescue teams. We don't have any ambulances, and we only have one hospital. We have many killed and injured.’
Cagri Han underwent training last year to prepare for this type of operation. His local language skills will be invaluable in liaising with NGO’s such as the Turkish Red Crescent Society.
He has been in touch with the President of the Ankara Rotary Club who has expressed his deep gratitude that Rotarians in other parts of the world are prepared to offer direct help so Publishquickly.
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