CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE OFFICE
SITUATION REPORT: TURKEY EARTHQUAKE
June 6, 2000


SITUATION: At least three people are reported dead and 80 injured from an
earthquake that shook an area of central Turkey today. The epicenter of
the quake was about 60 miles north of the capital of Ankara in the town of
Cerkes, Cankiri province.

The quake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale. Response by the Turkish
government was quick and immediate, with crisis centers established to
coordinate assistance for survivors, the BBC reported. Also providing
assistance were civil defense units and the Red Crescent Society.

The low number of casualties, government officials said, was due to the
fact that many of the homes were adobe mud-brick or wooden structures. By
contrast, the two earthquakes that hit Turkey last year, in August and
November, killed more than 18,000 people destroyed modern housing units
made of concrete.


CWS RESPONSE: As a member of the Action by Churches Together (ACT)
International network, Church World Service provided blankets, "Gift of
the Heart" Health and Baby Kits, and health supplies (total value
$130,030) which were distributed among survivors of last year's
earthquakes. Alan "Mick" McCain, a United Church of Christ (UCC)  
missioner working with ACT/ Turkey, has been among those coordinating the
ecumenical response in Turkey. In addition to working as part of ACT, CWS
has also worked with the Christian Churches in Turkey Steering Committee
for Disaster Relief.

CWS will be in contact with these parties to determine needs and a
possible response.

Call the CWS HOTLINE for updates: (800) 297-1516, ext. 111.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is
responding, contact CWS Emergency Response.

Telephone: (212) 870-3151
After-hours emergency pager: (800) 780-0853
Internet Web Site: http://www.ncccusa.org/CWS/emre
ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org


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