wfn.org | Update, U.S., Global Ecumenical Turkey Response

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Email: news@ncccusa.org  Web: www.ncccusa.org
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2227

96NCC9/3/99 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECUMENICAL COMMUNITY EQUIPS 2,500 WITH TENTS, FURNISHINGS,
HELPING TO EASE POST-EARTHQUAKE MISERIES IN TURKEY
Church World Service "Ups" Its Turkey Response Goal to $1 
Million,
Receives Thank You Letters From Turkish Citizens, Eye-
Witness Reports

 September 3, 1999, NEW YORK CITY - As Turkey's people 
continue to grieve the loss of life from the August 17 
earthquake and aftershocks and suffer from the loss of homes 
and livelihoods, emergency assistance from the ecumenical 
community is helping to sustain and encourage survivors.

 Church World Service is among partners in a global 
ecumenical program to shelter 500 families comprising about 
2,500 individuals from two hard-hit areas, the municipality 
of Izmit and villages above Adaparazi - a program that may 
double or triple in size as needs in other affected 
locations are determined.

 People currently are living in makeshift shelters of 
canvas and plastic sheeting that have proved thoroughly 
inadequate for the heavy rains this past week.  Lack of 
proper ground sheets and mattresses has made the floors 
slushy and damp.

 A broad array of churches in Turkey have joined forces 
to provide winterized tents fitted with heating stoves, 
along with water and sanitation facilities, bedding and 
other furnishings, cooking equipment and utensils, hygiene 
kits and educational assistance for the children.  
Supporting the program are Turkey's churches and $1,039,800 
from the Action by Churches Together (ACT) worldwide 
emergency response network of churches and related agencies, 
including Church World Service.

 The tents - to be erected either in communal settings 
or on individual family property - are expected to be ready 
for occupation over the next week or so.  Two hundred tents 
are to arrive from Norway this weekend, and all other 
materials are to be procured locally.

 Mick McCain, a United Church of Christ missioner to 
Turkey who is helping coordinate the program, visited Golcuk 
and Adaparazi mid-week, and reported that they "are so 
terribly destroyed that it's hard to maintain a steely, 
dispassionate attitude.  We're weeping inside all the time."

An Iranian geophysicist who accompanied him "was 
appalled at the way the earthquake had scattered buildings 
in every direction, not in only one," Mr. McCain reported.  
"Here the accordion collapse of six story buildings that now 
seem to be four story buildings is very evident.  And it 
must all be completely cleared away - nothing can be 
repaired."

Knowing that the global community cares has provided 
some comfort.  Church World Service has received several 
"thank you" letters from Turkish Americans and Turkish 
citizens for its post-earthquake response efforts.  

Among them is an August 30 e-mail from Dr. Gunay Apak, 
Turkish citizen, who wrote, "We are suffering a lot, but 
seeing and feeling the kindness of . all nations around the 
globe in different religions and culture is relieving our 
deep sorrow."  

The letter, to the Rev. Dr. Rodney Page, CWS Executive 
Director, expressed special thanks for Malden Mills' 
donation of 2,000 Polartec blankets through Church World 
Service, and for CWS's overall response.  "We are especially 
grateful for small children for donating their pocket money 
to their unknown friends in Turkey," Dr. Apak wrote.

Church World Service, the humanitarian response 
ministry of the (U.S.) National Council of Churches, is 
increasing its Turkey Earthquake Response goal to $1 million 
as specific needs become clearer - and as Americans respond 
generously with donations for purchase of emergency 
supplies.

CWS and its member denominations already have sent 
$250,000 in support of ACT's initial program and will send 
another $75,000 next week.  Church World Service previously 
sent another $50,000 for the purchase of tents and blankets.

 CWS is supporting ecumenical efforts focusing on 
recovery and rehabilitation, particularly among those who 
are most vulnerable after such catastrophic events - women 
and children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.  
Longer-term response will include provision of material 
goods and building homes.

Contributions may be sent to Church World Service, 
Attn. Turkey Response, 28606 Phillips Street, PO Box 968, 
Elkhart, IN 46515. Telephone: 1-800-297-1516, ext 222. For 
more information and updates and/or to make an on-line 
contribution, go to http://www.churchworldservice.org.

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