Intervention of the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force in the 1999 Marmara, Turkey earthquake

Background. Major earthquakes are followed by a substantial number of crush syndromes and pigment-induced acute renal failures (ARFs). The natural evo lution of this problem rapidly leads to death. Today's possibilities of dia lysis therapy enable saving numerous lives that otherwise would he lost. Cu rrently, the primary problem is organizational, if huge catastrophes occur and complex therapeutic options need to be offered to a large number of vic tims. Methods. Following the 1988 Spitak earthquake in Armenia, the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) established the Renal Disaster Relief Task For ce (RDRTF) in order to anticipate organizational problems related to renal care in the aftermath of large natural and human-made catastrophes. The pro posed concept was one of a dialysis advance team, which would assess the ne eds and possibilities of dialysis treatment, to be followed by supportive m anpower and supplies. This article describes the organizational aspects of a rescue action that was undertaken following the Marmara earthquake, which occurred on August 17th, 1999, in northwestern Turkey. In conjunction with Medecins Sans Frontieres. a team landed at Istanbul Airport less than 22 h ours after the disaster, and logistic and material support as well as manpo wer were provided over a period of approximately one month. Specific attent ion was paid to the choice of the renal replacement therapy, the transport of victims and materials, the implementation of preventive rehydration. and the problem of chronic renal Failure patients dialyzed in the damaged area . Conclusions. We demonstrate how previously anticipated international suppor t may offer moral, financial, as well as logistical help to local nephrolog ical communities confronted with serious disasters.