Turkish quake rescue effort to focus on shelter and infrastructure

By Nathan Morley

Despite being hampered by several additional powerful quakes earlier this week, Turkish authorities have almost completed search and rescue work two weeks after massive earthquakes claimed more than 43,000 lives.

The latest quake on Monday was smaller in magnitude but claimed six lives.

Works in most quake-hit regions are now focused on removing debris, sheltering the displaced, and fixing infrastructure. Turkish TV reports there had been 7,930 aftershocks following the first quake and that more than 600,000 flats and 150,000 business premises had suffered slight damage.

The death toll is likely to rise further as search teams pull out more bodies from the rubble, though rescue teams have not found any survivors since last weekend.

The Turkish government, along with local and international aid organizations, has embarked on a massive relief effort.

Relief operations

The authorities are working to provide more temporary shelter with tents and containers, while many survivors remain in hotels, hostels, schools, dormitories, and railway carriages.

No outbreaks of infectious diseases have been detected to date, but the health ministry has warned people against drinking tap water.

Last week the United Nations appealed for more than $1 billion in funds for the Turkish relief operation, just days after launching a $400 million appeal for Syrians.

The UN said the money would allow aid organizations to quickly scale up support and provide food security, protection, education, water, and shelter.