On October 23, 2011 at 13:41 local time the Van earthquake shook eastern Turkey with a 7.1 magnitude tremor killing 600 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. A few weeks later on November 9, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit the same region. 7 people were reportedly killed and more than 100 were assumed to be trapped in the rubble. Displaced residents were living in make-shift camps even as temperatures began dropping with the onset of winter.
Many buildings sustained severe damage in the quakes. The second earthquake cut power to Van City and the local hospital was severely damaged. Emergency medical infrastructure support was greatly needed to meet the needs of the victims of the earthquake and support the ongoing daily medical needs of the community.
600+ KILLED
60,000+ HOMELESS
6,000+ INJURED
GlobalMedic’s Rapid Response Team deployed to Turkey to coordinate with Doctors Worldwide Turkey in setting up a field hospital. GlobalMedic shipped an inflatable field hospital into Van City to help replace the main hospital that was damaged. The field hospital was installed and was used as an Emergency Room running 24/7.
