More than 200 aftershocks have followed, more than 20 of which were a magnitude of 4.5, and 4 of which were at 5 on the Richter scale. Approximately 6,886 are dead and another 33,000 injured. Turkish government reports that 35,000 people could still be missing. Hundreds of thousands of Turks are camped outside, because their homes are destroyed or they fear going home. Approximately 6 out of every 10 buildings were destroyed in and near Izmit, location of the earthquake's epicenter.
Vast areas are without water and power.
CWS is in contact with it's partner agency in the region, The Middle East Conference of Churches, who is in the process of assessing unmet needs. An appeal should be issued next week. Commitments from other CWS members are expected shortly. For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is responding, contact CWS Emergency Response.