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Thursday, November 25, 1999

Tents sought for Turkey quake survivors
Snow, freezing weather starts in hard-hit region; at least 25,000 shelters still needed
By Suzan Fraser
Associated Press

   ANKARA, Turkey - Relief workers scrambled Wednesday to find tents capable of withstanding the harsh winter for thousands of homeless survivors of Turkey's latest quake as snow began to fall on their camps.
   Tens of thousands of people were living in makeshift wood and plastic shelters, amid strong winds and freezing temperatures in Bolu province, and officials said as many as 25,000 tents were still needed.
   After days of rain, snow began to fall onto the hilly region Wednesday, but it quickly turned to slush, the regional crisis center reported. Authorities dropped salt on the roads to prevent vehicles carrying relief aid from slipping, the Anatolia news agency reported.
   People formed long lines outside the government's crisis center for plastic sheeting to waterproof their tents.
   Turkey's National Security Council, comprised of generals and cabinet ministers, discussed ways of rushing tents and prefabricated homes to survivors of the Nov. 12 earthquake. The death toll rose to 749 today as officials accounted for more bodies.
   The Turkish Red Crescent said it was having trouble getting winterized tents.
   "There are lots of camping tents available, but what we are after are tents that keep in the heat, keep out the rain, and where a whole family can be sheltered comfortably," said Haluk Koc, spokesman for the government-affiliated organization.
   In the city of Bolu, authorities have set up the foundations for three tent cities, but have not received the winter tents needed to house at least 10,000, said Mustafa Yildiz of the Bolu crisis center. In nearby Duzce, authorities said 15,000 tents were needed.
   The government has promised to provide 32,000 prefabricated houses by Nov. 30 for victims of the on Aug. 17 quake, which killed 17,000 people. Officials said, though, that only 17,000 houses have been finished.

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