Needs assessment of the displaced population following the August 1999 earthquake in Turkey

In Augusto 1999 a major earthquake struck north-western Turkey. An assessmento followed to identify the immediate needs of the displaced population. A random cluster sample of displaced families living in temporary shelter outside of organised relief camps was designed. Representatives of 230 households form the four communities worse affected by the earthquake were interviewed. Most families lived in makeshift shelters (84 per cent), used bottled water (90 per cent), obtained food form relief organisations (53 per cent) and obtanined information by word of mouth (81 per cent). Many respondents reported having family members who were over the age of 65 (32 per cent) or under age three (20 per cent), who were pregnand (6 per cent), or who had been ill since the earthquake (64 per cent). The greatest immediate need reported by most families was shelter requirements (37 per cent), followed by food (23 per cent) and hygiene requirements (19 per cent). Ten days after the earthquake, basic environmental health needs of food, shelter and hygiene still predominated in this displaced population. Significant portions may have special needs due to age or illness. (AU)

The Marmara, Turkey earthquake of August 17, 1999 : Reconnaissance report

This report includes observations from reconnaissance trips sponsored by the MCEER to Turkey after 7.4 eartquake on August 17, 1999. It is the product of many authors representing several disciplines and, while not a final assessment to the topics addressed, represents an interim earthquake engineering evaluation of the natural, built and social environments. As noted by several of the authors, the analogies between the North Anatolian Fault Zone in Turkey and the San Andreas Fault in the United States are strkingly similar. The observations and conclusions herein form a springboard for future collaborative research efforts, which advance society's ability to better withstand the destruction caused by earthquake throughoug the world

Section 2 : Seismology

On August 17 and November 12, 1999 there were two earthqueakes in Turkey originated on the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ). The study of the NAFZ system provides an excellent opportunity to test and validate new approaches to updateable forecasts of hearthquakes hazard

Section 3 : Geotechnical effects

The geotechnical aspects of the August 17, 1999 Marmara earthquake were investigated by a Geotechnical Reconnaissance Team supported by the National Science Foundation. A report on the results of this reconnaissance will appear in a special issue of Earthquake Spectra published by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. Key geotechnical findings and conclusions from the forthcoming Earthquake Spectra report are presented in summary form here

Section 4 : Structural damage

There has to be a geotechnical foundation to formulate retrofit policies to mitigate future earthquake-induced damage and ensure building performance compatible with societal expectations

Section 5 : Damage to the transportation infrastructure

This section describes damage sustained by the transportation infraestructure as a result of the Marmara earthquake in Turkey on August 17, 1999

Section 6 : Performance of industrial facilities

The epicentral area contains a high percentage of Turkeyïs industry. this earthquake has pointed out many situations that might be encountered and hazards that might be face during earthquakes of this magnitude in other regions, such as emergency response, human response, fires, oil spills, and toxic releases, in addition to fundamental issues of structural and nonstructuraldamage. As additional information is gathered and studied from these facilities, we expect that lessons learned will be directly applicable to industrial facilities in other seismic regions of the world, including the United States

Section 7 : Lifeline performance

This section reports on impacts of the August 17, 1999 earthquake on water, power and gas utilities, based on field surveys conducted on August 24-25, 1999. Because services such as water and power are vital for the function of an urban region, they are referred to as lifelines. In general, lifelines performed well in this earthquake, especially the source and transmission elements. Distribution systems, however, were more severely damaged, especially the underground water system pipin in the high intensity areas

Section 8 : Social, political and Emergency Response

This preliminary survey reinforces the natural disaster literature with further evidence that poorly built, unreinforced structures, constructed on improper sites, with disregard for geology and seismology, particularly near and/or on the North Anatolian fault zone, collapse in severe or major earthquakes, with large numbers of casualties. There is a brief overview of emergency responses, casualties and injuries, medical facilities, mental health services, displaced persons, Turkish Red Crescent and Other Organizational Response, ,edia response, human impact of the destruction and damage, and some recommendations for further study

Section 9 : Restoration activities

This section describes activities that were indicated to restore social routines to the impacted region. Basic social functions (transportation, health care, education) are often disrupted when major disaster events occur. It refers to housing and the earthquake, estimating the number of homeless, three types of tent cities, adjusting to daily living in the tent cities, restoration of education and health care facilities

Section 10 : The Marmara earthquake : A view from space

This document lists some of the lessons learned while performing the investigation. It shows the purpose of the trip, itinerary and field investigations

El terremoto en Izmit : 17 de agosto de 1999 3.00 a.m. hora local - 7.4 escala de Richter / Izmit earthquake : August 17, 1999, 3:00 a.m. local time, 7.4 Richter Scale

Este breve informe fue recopilado por los oficiales de la Defensa Civil Británica (BCD) especialistas en las difíciles operaciones de descombro y, por tanto, apodados por sus colegas como "ratas de túnel", quienes intervinieron en la zona de terremoto acaecido en Izmit. Estos se disculpan de antemano por las lagunas que puedan haber en el presente informe. Ello se debe a la extenuación general de los mismos durante los trabajos y al hecho de que casi todas las notas tomadas, quedaron deshechas por los efectos de recalentamiento originado en las operaciones de abertura de túneles entre los escombros. El rescate efectuado a través de túneles perforados entre los escombros es el último recurso y esperanza de las víctimas enterradas vivas bajo los edificios derrumbados. A raíz del alto grado de riesgo que corren los socorristas y las víctimas, este trabajo sólo se lleva a cabo cuando las demás técnicas de rescate han fracaso

Economic consequences of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Greece

The recent massive earthquakes in Turkey and Greece - with the tragic major loss of life, injuries, trauma and physical damage they brought - have, hearteningly, mobilisied rapid and considerable international support both material and moral, including between the two countries affected. It is vital, says the report, that this assistance continue until reconstruction is complete. The report goes on to call for stricter construcion standards and quality controls in order to reduce the loss of life and damage in any future earthquake, in or outside the region. A European fund for urgent financial assistance in the event of natural disastes should be considered, as well rapid reaction capabilities unde the auspices of the OSCE. They should be supplemented by planning and co-ordination bodies at national and regional level, and possibly by worldqide readiness under UN auspices. Finally, the report pledges constant Assembly monitoring of the international aid effort to Greece and Turkey, in particular in its capacity as the parliamentary forum fo international financial institutions suchas the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction an Development (EBRD) and the Council of Europe Development Bank. (AU)

Stop propagating disaster myths

This article was writen by a professional disaster manager. There are many myths regarding natural disasters. The author emphazises on the importance of recognizing them and try to educate population to be prepared to alleviate the "secondary" disasters (often provoked by myths)