Turkey earthquake: Caritas Anatolia alongside the affected population

The earthquake hit the eastern province of Elaziğ killing at least 35 people and injuring almost 2,000. Aid and rescue are haphazard with some areas getting little. Basic supplies, food and clothing are needed.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - Caritas Anatolia is standing with the Turkish communities affected by last Friday’s earthquake that killed at least 35 people and injured and almost 2,000.

The quake hit the eastern province of Elaziğ, 550 km east of the capital Ankara. Less than 24 hours after the disaster, a Caritas Anatolia representative reached the area and began looking into the situation between the cities of Malatya and Elaziğ.

The government, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), and the Red Cross are already active in Elaziğ where the damage is greatest.

Aid is pouring in from various municipalities and associations, but a lot of food and aid of different kind is reportedly being wasted.

The representative of the Catholic charity visited some of the villages around Elaziğ, in particular Pütürge and Doğanyol, which are 1,950 metres above sea level.

Here, aid was distributed and tents set up in front undamaged houses, but in some areas very little aid has arrived.

Food, blankets, stoves and winter clothes are needed in the current emergency situation; diapers and special food are needed for children.

An estimate US$ 3,000 are needed for food and travel to bring aid. Other villages between Malatya and Elaziğ are expected to be in similar conditions.

• turkey
• earthquake
• caritas anatolia
• aid
• catholic church