Summary: On 6 February 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern region of Türkiye, the most powerful earthquake recorded in the country since 1939. A second earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 occurred nine hours later, its epicenter approximately 70 km from the first earthquake. On the same day, with the earthquakes having caused widespread destruction of houses and infrastructure in urban centers and rural areas across the country, the Government of Türkiye issued a level four alarm calling for international assistance. As of 5 April 2023, AFAD reported that the death toll has reached 50,3391 and 107,204 People injured. Some three million people have relocated, and more than half a million buildings have sustained damage, of which at least 298,000 buildings have either collapsed or have been severely damaged. The ALS/MND Association of Turkiye headquarters in Izmir attempted to contact its 98 registered patients in the earthquake zone, where an estimated 550 patients were in need. The Association Chair, who is also an ALS Patient, with support from other volunteers and official institutions, evaluated the first 72-hour needs for the ALS/MND patients to keep them alive. • Reached patients (first 24 hours): 30 • Reaching out to the Association Call Center: 15 • Number of mobile phones that could not be reached in the earthquake zone: 300,000 adults. Number of visited patients: 30 patients at the location by visit; 15 patients by volunteers, on the fifth day after the event. • Most needed materials: Generator, O2 concentrator, rechargeable aspirator, air mattresses, medical consumables, diapers, water, fuel, batteries, hygiene products. In disasters, the survival and rescue of individuals belonging to vulnerable groups is difficult, and the results are limited. Therefore, it is important to make comprehensive plans and keep regular records before a disaster occurs.
Ülkümen Rodoplu (Sun,) studied this question.