Earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria

This observation is concerning.

“Turkey’s last devastating earthquake prompted the government to introduce stricter construction rules. Mr Erdogan was scathingly critical of the government’s response when he was in opposition but almost a quarter of a century on, critics say little appears to have changed on the ground.

The Erdogan-led government has declared several amnesties including one launched in 2018 called “zoning peace” which allowed anyone to legalise whatever property they may have built or renovated in violation of building regulations in exchange for a fee.

About 13 million noncompliant buildings across Turkey have since become legal thanks to the loophole, according to industry estimates. “Many new buildings have become earthquake-fraught after unauthorised renovations,” said Prof Pelin Pinar Giritlioglu, head of the Istanbul branch of the Chamber of Turkish Engineers and Architects.

“The state has pardoned those buildings in exchange for money and promised to turn a blind eye to them… With the earthquake, we have come up with the tragic outcome of this set-up.”

Casdon

I’m most concerned about Syria, a lot of international aid is being mobilised to help in Turkey now, but there’s little on the news about Syria, it’s obviously dangerous to provide support there but the people need it.

Assad is apparently bombing the rescue missions according to what I have just read online. Just how low can the man get????

Assad trained as a surgeon in one of London's teaching hospitals before he returned to Syria. What happened to the oath he must have taken ...'do no harm'. He ranks alongside Putin as sub-human in my opinion. It's so heartbreaking for those poor people.

Yammy

International Aid seems to me to be slow all round. People are still being pulled out alive. What I don't understand is why if Turkey is in such an earthquake-prone zone they are not constantly prepared to get in and help. People were shouting at police who said they would come back but they suspected they wouldn't. If it were say Japan they would have the infrastructure to help straight away.
Syria is beyond belief the baby saved from its dead mother made me feel so humble.

Rescue teams from around the world are prepared but they don't just sit around, waiting for a disaster to happen. The teams have jobs, lives but are always prepared to go into action as fast as possible.

I think sending a first response team out on the same night from the UK was pretty rapid and obviously more help will be on its way as urgently as is possible.

Japan is a much smaller country and is very efficiently run.

The baby girl pulled out yesterday still attached to her umbilical cord. Her mother apparently gave birth to her under the rubble. Mother is sadly dead. What a horrific experience for the mother. What a start in life for the baby. So very sad.

The scope of this earthquake is just staggering. I can hardly wrap my head around the enormity of this situation.

I will be donating $$$ to an American non-profit called Americares where all donations are used for medical supplies/help. They funnel their monies to wherever the greatest need or conflict is (in the world!) They are global. Last year it was Ukraine.

Another very good non-profit is World Central Kitchen run by chef Jose Andres. His teams pop-up seemingly overnight to start making hot food for those in need. They are global.
Go For It!
Cheers! (and prayers)
USA Gundy

It was seeing the grandmother weeping because she'd lost her grandchildren that started me weeping too.
You'd give your life if it meant it saved theirs.
😪

The latest figures of lives lost is 11,000, which I just can’t imagine. And looking into the future, who will finance the rebuilding of these buildings, and will they be earthquake secure, as obviously most of them weren’t. Just heartbreaking. It makes me realise how fortunate we are to live in a country which only has slight tremors.

It horrendous what their going through
Both The Red Cross and Oxfam are taking donations every £1 will help and both take PayPal as well as card online
Do make sure your on the correct www sites of course, enclosed links below
It’s at least one way we can try to help those poor souls

www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/current-emergencies/turkey-and-syria-earthquake-appeal/?fbclid=IwAR38I0gaZ6ehfpygdJBb_vgN57mxBhDGLgaoOZa7Lbf9VaHGQssgPGq3U4A

Or

donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal?fbclid=IwAR1UIHGF00EdEhBsUqORds3LRdVDutkk620WLSBsowACK8hwLCIAhrHq20Q

My great friend has told me that 2 family members aged 3 and 7 have died in Syrian/Turkish earthquake.I cannot imagine the pain he is going through.

So sad. Unimaginable losses and tragedies. Makes me give myself a good slap for my lapses into moaning mode. Boo hoo my house is cold, my house is a mess, I'm fed up....

Please donate to the Red Cross as they are always there. Any amount you can give will be well spent.

www.dec.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) now have the link updated on their website, supporting multiple charities in the region.

And where has all the money gone - the fees payable for exemption from building regulations?
I could make a guess!

Poof! ‘What money?’.

Witzend

And where has all the money gone - the fees payable for exemption from building regulations?
I could make a guess!

🤔 not sure what that means, Witzend?
Or Urmstongran?

Message deleted by Gransnet. Refers to a withdrawn post.

The DEC Disasters Emergency Committee which links 15 UK charities, the UK government will match up to £5m in donations.
www.dec.org.uk/

Sorry Calli I was being flippant. But disaster monies donated by individuals heartbroken at the last huge earthquake along with relief funds from generous countries have been misappropriated. A lot of the money given was spent on new roads, which are there no longer - now. Buildings that were supposed to be put up with consideration towards earthquakes did not adhere to regulations. Corruption ‘disappeared’ a lot of the money.
It is quite shocking to read about but sadly, it happens.

Sorry lucky I duplicated.

Oh, yes, I know, Urmstongran
I remember what happened in Haiti.

I usually donate to the Red Cross as they seem to be the first responders when disasters happen.

I had a little present from ERNIE this week so I have just contributed to the DEC. It makes me want to cry each time I see a report. It looks like a war zone. I hope they keep searching for people, as in Haiti they found some alive after 11 days.

Another here who is reduced to tears watching or reading the news reports. Such devastation. We use the DEC site to donate, feels a good route.

We have just heard from Turkey, relative is alive but they are having to live on the street with no protection from the weather. He says that the mental health of those around him is very poor. He had just been discharged from hospital after an operation so is at increased risk of infection. There was no mention of food or water so not sure how they are eating.

maddyone

The baby girl pulled out yesterday still attached to her umbilical cord. Her mother apparently gave birth to her under the rubble. Mother is sadly dead. What a horrific experience for the mother. What a start in life for the baby. So very sad.

The doctor who has taken chargec of her care in hospital was just interviewed on TV.
He said that his wife is breastfeeding this baby along with their own child. This is such a beautiful thing to do.