26 Oct Turkey: Earthquake Relief

We are partnering with IN Network to begin ministry in Turkey. We received the following from Rody Rodeheaver of IN Network regarding the recent earthquake. If you would like to help, gifts can also be sent to Global Ministries, and we’ll forward 100% to IN Network.–Jeff Bleijerveld

Rody Rodeheaver

As you saw in the news and heard on Mission Network News, there was a 7.2 magnitude earthquake Sunday that struck the city of Van and the town, Ercis, located in the northeastern part of Turkey. News reports are reporting a death toll of around 300 with another 1,300 injured; over 950 buildings are demolished.

A health services building along with part of the hospital collapsed and the injured were being treated in the hospital’s garden. Two make-shift tent hospitals were being erected on Sunday. Rescuers and survivors are contending with near-freezing temperatures and some people are burning wood from collapsed buildings for warmth.

Behnan shared with me that there is a new Protestant church of about 150 people in the city of Van, and miraculously the church structures were unharmed in the earthquake. The church leadership is not only reaching out to their own people affected by the quake, but are organizing efforts to meet the tremendous needs throughout the area. People are in need of blankets, drinking water, food, and clothing. I.N. Turkey will be working side by side with the pastor and congregation to get the staples needed to the people in that area.

International Needs USA will be working through our staff in Turkey to provide funds to purchase needed items like blankets, clothes and food for the people most affected in this terrible disaster.