THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY ROSE 17,000

USPA NEWS - Red Crescent Turkey Red Cross, and many other humanitarian NGO’s are in a massive race against time to urgent;y search and save lives from the rubble following the 7,8 magnitude earthquake that shaken Southeastern and Northeastern Turkey, early Monday. The area including Antioche, near the Syrian border, and the first earthquake was felt as far as Lebanon Cyprus, Israel,PalestinianTerritories and Greece killed thousand of people so far with a magnitude or 7,5, was sadly followed by a second one, only 9hours after, which recorded 7,8 magnitude . The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Turkey rose to 17,000 according to the Turkish Health Minister. Tens of thousands more have been injured, or lost, not to mention the buildings ending up in rack and ruin. The international community is getting organized and sending material, and human resources, to help and assist the very brave humanitarian teams already active in site and responding to the urgent demands..

WE PUBLISH THE FULL PRESS REALESE TEXT FORM RED CRESCENT/ RED CROSS The global Red Cross and Red Crescent network stands in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands affected by the recent earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. At the American Red Cross, our hearts go out to those impacted by this deadly earthquake, which has taken thousands of lives and caused significant damage to structures across the region. As the window of time rapidly narrows to save lives, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are urgently working to rescue thousands remaining trapped beneath rubble following this week’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Türkiye (formerly known as Turkey) and Syria. Inclement weather, severely damaged infrastructure and treacherous road conditions are complicating relief efforts. Buildings, schools, homes and infrastructure are severely damaged and hospitals are filling quickly. Thousands of Red Cross and Red Crescent responders are on the ground providing blood, food, shelter, medical care, emergency aid supplies and mental and emotional support to people in need. Many people have evacuated and are also in need of emergency supplies including hygiene items and blankets. Humanitarian needs are vast among the hundreds of thousands of people who were facing hardship before the earthquake struck – including those who have fled conflict in Syria and Turkiye. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Turkish Red Crescent will continue to support people fleeing conflict.

Red Crescent Response in Türkiye?The Turkish Red Crescent deployed teams in affected provinces with stocks of food and basic aid items to support those injured and evacuated. Their teams are also distributing hot meals among people outdoors and at emergency shelters. To meet the increased demand for blood, Turkish Red Crescent is sending all of its national blood stock to the affected regions, and calling on people across Türkiye to donate blood. The Turkish Red Crescent is the responsible authority for feeding coordination in the disaster area and has deployed catering vehicles, mobile kitchens, food and snacks, water and kitchen kits as well as blankets, beds and tents.  In addition, communication vehicles have mobilized to affected regions to enhance communication and coordination in the field. Red Crescent Response in Syria?Responders in Damascus are working to locate and ship goods to people in the northern areas of Syria. Across the country, conditions are especially dire. A 12-year conflict, worsening economic crisis, scarce infrastructure and access challenges combined with a devastating earthquake has created a “perfect storm” of critical humanitarian needs. Fuel and equipment are also in low supply. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent teams have been responding in hardest hit areas – including Hama, Aleppo, Lattakia and Tartous – since the early hours, providing life-saving support, including first aid, emergency medical evacuations and transport to hospitals. Volunteers are on the ground distributing food, water and shelter materials to people.

Global Red Cross and Red Crescent Response?“This earthquake caused unfathomable damage. Our worst fear is coming true. In this response, every minute counts,” said Xavier Castellanos, International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Operations Coordination.
“The vulnerabilities are coupled on top of harsh winter conditions, making it unbearable for many. The vulnerable living conditions, particularly in Syria, are stretched even farther due to the decade-long war. People who lost their homes and loved ones need our support. We must join forces and do our best to help,” Castellanos said.

Blood Services?At this time, the American Red Cross is not shipping blood products to Turkiye and Syria. The American Red Cross does not ship blood products outside the U.S. without a specific request from the U.S. State Department for U.S. citizens overseas, from the United Nations, or unless we have request from the affected Red Cross or Red Crescent society abroad.

How to Find a Missing Loved One?Those unable to get in touch with U.S. citizens missing in Türkiye or Syria should contact the U.S .Department of State Overseas Citizens Services Office online or at 1-888-407-4747. More information can be found here.
If you are searching for loved ones in Turkiye, please contact the Turkish Red Crescent at Tracing@kizilay.org.tr. If you are searching for loved ones in Syria, please contact these phone numbers: Aleppo: +963 (0)950000822; Hama: +983 (0)9950000824; Latakia:+963(0)950000827; Tartus: +963 (0)950000928.

Can I Volunteer or Donate In-Kind Goods??In all emergencies, members of the local community are the first to respond – they know the context, language, people and culture. The Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are deeply rooted and part of the communities impacted by the earthquake. They have staff and volunteers who are trained and prepared for unfortunate events like this one. The global Red Cross and Red Crescent network deploys international resources to help compliment and coordinate the needs of a local response and are well positioned, prepared and trained for situations like this. We encourage you to connect with your local Red Cross chapter for future opportunities or to visit redcross.org/volunteer for more information.

The American Red Cross sends highly specialized and experienced professionals with technical skills and expertise abroad only after the Red Cross or Red Crescent team requests assistance. Those not already on the Red Cross’s international disaster roster will not have the opportunity to deploy at this time.
While we are grateful for the outpouring of support, it’s important to know that neither the American Red Cross, nor our global Red Cross partners, are accepting the donation of in-kind goods such as food, clothing, blankets or toys at this time. These items can be difficult to manage on the ground and divert resources from our mission.
The Turkish Embassy and Turkish Consulates are accepting in-kind assistance. Those interested are asked to send donations of blankets, tents, sleeping bags, pocket warmers, winter clothing and over-the-counter medications for flu, cold, and pain killers to Turkish Embassy and Turkish Consulates across the U.S. by mail or through in-person drop off.

Providing Financial Support?Increased global support and solidarity to deliver humanitarian assistance are essential in the weeks and months of recovery ahead. To find out more about the international efforts to support the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the Turkish Red Crescent, visit here.
The IFRC has launched two Emergency Appeals to support the response to the earthquake, with a combined value of 200 million Swiss francs. Donate directly to @IFRC: https://rdcrss.org/40R90v8.
You can also donate to support the earthquake response through the American Red Cross. For those interested in helping people affected by the Turkiye (Turkey) earthquake, we ask that they write “Turkiye (Turkey) earthquake” in the memo line of a check and mail it with a completed donation form to the address on the form or to their local Red Cross chapter. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. «  Source: RED CROSS