On February 6, 2023, a major earthquake (magnitude 7.8) occurred with its epicenter near Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey. A second earthquake occurred on the same day in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaraş province. The earthquake caused extensive damage, especially in Turkey and Syria. HuMA decided to dispatch a survey team to the area.
The two-week activity was completed. During the period, we continuously sent two doctors, a nurse, and a logistician, all of whom have now returned home safely. We have been discussing with the dispatched members and board members what kind of support we can provide, and we also carried out support activities jointly with Peace Winds […]
We placed a drawing corner and a slide in the waiting room for the children to enjoy. The children who gathered there seemed to really enjoy drawing cheerful pictures, and we felt saved.
We will ensure that your support is delivered to the disaster victims. We are continuing our activities in the areas affected by the earthquake.
We supported the medical activities of Peace Winds Japan, with which we have been cooperating since peacetime. We, along with interpreters, were in charge of medical interviews and charting, while PWJ staff and interpreters administered medications at the same time as medical examinations. We also had a local pharmacist help us by teaching us the […]
We visited the city of Antakya in Hatay Province. The center of the city was almost a pile of rubble. In Iskenderun, we visited a volunteer soup kitchen started by a friend of HuMA’s Turkish interpreter with his own funds and with support from a trade association and a bar association, they have been serving […]
There are still areas where medical care and supplies have not reached sufficient levels. In this village, the doctor was evacuated immediately after the disaster, and a nurse was treating the residents.
We are exploring the best ways to provide support. We will consider and decide on various forms of support and work toward that end.
Several members of the survey team have returned safely. The remaining members in the field will continue to conduct assessments and coordination.
We continue to monitor aftershocks with caution. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the city of Samandar in Hatay Province, where the ground was rippling and cars were bouncing on the Turkish news. The initial two earthquakes had collapsed 70% of the town’s buildings, and it is not hard to imagine that this quake […]
Damage from yesterday’s earthquake is widespread. The situation will change again with aftershocks, including needs. HuMA will continue its activities with full attention to safety.
An aftershock occurs. All team members are safe. An aftershock of M6.4 occurred in the evening local time. Aftershocks continued from time to time and rain started to fall. A tsunami warning was issued, but there was no problem. We will continue our activities tomorrow with the utmost caution.
Team JAPAN, which includes JDR and the NGO Peace Winds Japan, is conducting relief medical activities in the affected areas. We will gather information and investigate the need for the next medical team.
We continued our assessment of the situation. We met up with members of Peace Winds Japan, a non-governmental organization that is always involved in multi-agency disaster medical rescue drills, and shared information with them. With the cooperation of local supporters, we visited various facilities and institutions.
Surveying the medical needs of the affected areas with local physicians Some areas were in need of assistance, while others still seemed to need it. It was a long day of travel, but with the cooperation of local doctors, we believe we were able to conduct the survey efficiently.
The HuMA team has arrived in Turkey. We registered as a medical team and met safely with local supporters. We are heading to the most affected areas without a break.
HuMA’s team has departed for the affected areas.