Turkish Protestant Churches - Disaster ResponseFrom: Turkish believers <trquake@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24 1999 03:43
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We are continuing our efforts in these difficult
circumstances with the
Lords grace. First and foremost we want
to thank you on behalf of all the
believers in Turkey and the people who where
affected by the earthquake for
your prayers and support in this rescue
operation.
On Sunday evening (22 Aug.) the various churches
and organizations involved
in relief efforts came together and we discussed
the next steps in the
relief efforts as well as cooperation with
one another.
The following people/organizations met together:
the pastors of 12
churches in Turkey, World Relief, World
Vision(who is a partner of World
Relief), cooperating churches in America,
Nazarean Compassion Service,
Southern Baptist Churches Relief,Arm YWAM
Relief, Operation Mercy (O.M) , a
Finish Relief organization, and the
Campus Crusade Relief team.
We shared our thoughts about the possible
roles we could play in the relief
effort as churches and organizations.
Personal experiences of the devastating consequences
of the earthquake were
shared and briefings were given about the
work that was being done. At this
moment in time, money and resources are
needed for the constantly changing
needs of food and cleaning/sanitary supplies..Also
vehicles are urgently
needed for distribution.
At the present time the relief is being provided
through various channels
and is being done in three different areas:
Izmit, Yalova and
Avcilar(Istanbul). The needs in Avcilar
were mostly first aid and on the
whole those needs have been met. There are
a lot of needs in Yalova but
because much of the damage was done to summer
houses, the long-term needs
are not as great. The two areas which
were most damaged (Körfez and Gölcük)
are provinces of Izmit. The city of Adapazari
has also been severely
damaged.
We would like to use the two buildings in
these areas which belong to the
church (the church building in Izmit and
the camp facilities in Yalova).,
The main issue that was discussed was the
establishment of a tent city.
Permission for erecting tent cities in the
most needy areas (Körfez and
Gölcük) has been applied for and
received. Search for suitable sites is
being done today.
The conclusions arrived at during the meeting are:
* Churches can not take on the responsibilities
of long term projects by
themselves because of their economic shortages
and lack of man-power.
Relief organizations acknowledge this and
are offering their financial
support and expert personnel.
* Christian organizations who want
to work in cooperation with churches
here will do so by working hand in hand
with the Turkish churches and
presenting their efforts under the "Turkish
Protestant Churches" banner.
* The rescue and relief efforts in
this first stage of relief will be
continued in the same way. Rather than having
equipment and supplies sent
from outside Turkey, relief efforts can
be done more effectively and cheaper
if financial help were sent to existing
bank accounts.
* The Turkish Evangelical Alliance
(TEK), will meet on Thursday and will
establish a joint bank account as well as
select a head coordinator. This
will make is easier for groups outside Turkey
to join our efforts.
* Some possible long term projects
are being discussed: specifically, two
tent-cities and relief houses for disabled
children. Even if everybody can
not join these efforts, they will be still
done under the name of "Turkish
Protestant Churches".
* Underneath this general umbrella
of the "Turkish Protestant Churches",
one or more churches (i.e. the churches
in Ankara, Izmir-Bursa or
Istanbul), may agree to work with various
groups who offer them support.
Churches or groups that have joint projects
will make decisions regarding
their joint efforts together.
* Some churches and groups are planning
their operations only for the first
stage(which means rescue and first aid).
Others are considering mid or long
term operations. The results of this disaster
and the need for aid will
continue for several years. Specifically,
because the Bostanci-Izmit church
is in the area of the disaster, they are
considering a long-term project
that would last at least a year.
Finally we have great need for your prayers
and help, and for the Lord's
love and wisdom. We are thankful because
we know you will not withhold these
things and because you have already sacrificially
supported the work of the
believers here.
With the prayer that much glory will be given
to the Lord in Turkey through
us,
Earthquake Communication Center
Carlos Madrigal
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