Almost immediately after the November earthquake, IBC set up a food distribution system providing two hot meals a day to the earthquake victims and distributing gas heaters to families living in tents. While snow has now fallen and winter conditions are severely affecting the many earthquake victims, CRS' partners are busy distributing food and gas heaters and running tent camps. Despite reasons for despair, hope is evident. Shattered towns and villages in Turkey will take years to recover from the recent earthquakes, but local people are planning for the future with the help of relatives, friends, and government and international relief organizations. Franne Van der Keilen is a Catholic Relief Services employee who visited Turkey in November.
Photos are available upon request.