Needs assessment of the displaced population following the August 1999 earthquake in Turkey

In August 1999 a major earthquake struck north-western Turkey. An assessmen t followed to identify the immediate needs of the displaced population. A r andom cluster sample of displaced families living in temporary shelter outs ide of organised relief camps was designed. Representatives of 230 househol ds from the four communities worse affected by the earthquake were intervie wed. Most families lived in makeshift shelters (84 per cent), used bottled water (91 per cent), obtained food from relief organisations (61 per cent), had access to latrines (90 per cent), had a member on routine medication ( 53 per cent) and obtained information by word of mouth (81 per cent). Many respondents reported having family members who were over the age of 65 (32 per cent) or under age three (20 per cent), who were pregnant (6 per cent), or who had been ill since the earthquake (64 per cent). The greatest immed iate need reported by most families was shelter requirements (37 per cent), followed by food (23 per cent) and hygiene requirements (19 per cent). Ten days after the earthquake, basic environmental health needs of food, shelt er and hygiene still predominated in this displaced population. Significant portions may have special needs due to age or illness.