Fed: Australian Red Cross appeals for help in Turkey quake

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-1999
Fed: Australian Red Cross appeals for help in Turkey quake

CANBERRA, Aug 18 AAP - The Australian Red Cross today launched an appeal for money
to help thousands of people left homeless or injured by Turkey's devastating earthquake.

The toll by mid-morning today Australian time was more than 2,000 killed and up to 11,000
injured from the quake, which measured more than seven on the Richter scale.

Australian Ambassador to Turkey Ian Forsyth estimated about 200 Australians were in Turkey
when the earthquake struck at 10am (AEST) yesterday, but there were no reports yet of injuries
or deaths.

The international Red Cross in Geneva appealed today for 10.52 million Swiss francs ($A10.7
million) to bring urgent assistance to 100,000 people affected by the earthquake in the
north west of the country, near Instanbul.

Australian Red Cross secretary-general Jim Carlton said experience showed that in such
disasters the most urgent needs were clean drinking water, blankets and shelter such as tents.

"Even though it is summer in Turkey at the moment, adequate shelter will be needed over the
coming months," Mr Carlton, a former Fraser government minister, said in a statement.

He said the Turkish Red Crescent was expected to need support as it had already released
large quantities of emergency supplies and the full extent of the disaster was not yet known.

"We are launching this appeal to raise funds that will be used to purchase urgently-needed
relief material and provide a clean water supply to survivors," Mr Carlton said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said today downed equipment made
communication with areas affected by the quake very difficult.

"There is no news at all," the spokesman said. "Communication with the affected areas is
impossible.

"The (Australian) Embassy is working around the clock but there are still no reports (of
any Australian casualties)."

Donations to the Red Cross Turkey Earthquake Appeal can be made by phoning 1800 811 700 or
by mail to GPO box 9949 in any capital city.

The DFAT contact number for Australians seeking news about their friends or relatives who
might be in Turkey is 0011-90312-289-6801.

AAP fh/ra/kr

KEYWORD: QUAKE TURKEY APPEAL

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