Rotarian's Turkish Earthquake Experience
2000

250,000 people are homeless, 46,500 people are injured and in hospital and over 30,000 people are dead.

The sign showing the population of Yalova, just one town in the quake area greets you as you enter the devastated town. The population before the earthquake was 78,500. Still, the exact figure of the death toll is not clear and it seems it will not be determined for some time because there are heavily damaged and collapsed buildings that have yet to be searched for victims.

The Rotary Tented Camp for over 2,000
homeless victims of the earthquake at Adapazari

The President of Newmarket Rotary Club, Vernon Smith, has visited the devastated area and met up with four Turkish Rotary Presidents to help arrange direct aid from Newmarket and District 1080.

"When passing collapsed buildings a heavy stench surrounds you and you realise with a shock, it is the smell of death, this memory will remain with me for life", says Vernon.

"Despite all this tragedy, there are people trying to keep pace with this miserable and unhappy life, living in crowded small tents. There are tears in the eyes of people and hopelessness evident in their faces."

In the tented cities the authorities spray the areas three times a week to keep down the mosquitoes, flies and bugs which seem to breed in abundance, great black clouds of mosquitoes continually hover over the place.

Four doctors from Hong Kong attend the area every other day. Apart from general ailments and illnesses they have to deal with psychological problems, such as hysteria, depression and anxiety.

All of these people are in for a very difficult future, but they certainly appreciate the little help we are able to give.