UN POPULATION FUND SENDS EMERGENCY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SUPPLIES TO TURKEY'S EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Press Release
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UN POPULATION FUND SENDS EMERGENCY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SUPPLIES TO TURKEY'S EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

NEW YORK, 20 August (UNFPA) -- Responding to a request from the Turkish Ministry of Health, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is flying in emergency reproductive health supplies as the first part of a larger effort to address the urgent needs of women and infant victims of Tuesday's earthquake. The supplies include safe blood transfusion and safe delivery equipment, antibiotics and equipment to perform caesarean sections and to resuscitate mothers and babies.

The supplies, intended for use by midwives and trained medical personnel, will be delivered from Amsterdam to Istanbul, free of charge, by Turkish Airlines and are scheduled to arrive late on Sunday (22 August). They will be used in Izmit and in and around Istanbul.

A United Nations team, including UNFPA staff, has conducted an initial assessment mission in the affected area to assist the Government and local emergency management authorities in gauging the need for emergency relief. Hospitals and clinics in the affected area have sustained massive damage, leaving an urgent need for medical supplies and equipment, which UNFPA is now addressing in collaboration with other United Nations agencies.

The Government of Turkey is requesting urgent international assistance to provide aid to survivors. Topping the list of urgently needed aid, as put forth by Government and United Nations teams in the area, are, among other things, field hospitals and medical supplies and equipment.

For more information, contact the United Nations Population Fund in New York: Alex Marshall at (212) 297-5020, e-mail: marshall@unfpa.org; or Jesper Jensen at (212) 297-5040, e-mail: jensen@unfpa.org.

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