18 dead, of whom 11 children and 21 injured, thousands of homeless: that is the provisional balance-sheet of the earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale that struck the village of Dogubeyazit, in the north-east province of Agri, on the frontier with Iran, on 2 July. Though not directly involved in the relief efforts, at least so far, Caritas Turkey is monitoring the situation carefully. According to the latest updates, the most damaged villages are those of Karabulak and Sagliksuyu. The Turkish Red Crescent is active on the spot; it has set up relief centres at Erzurum, Elazig, Van and Mus. So far 330 tents, 610 blankets, 910 meals and 400 bottles of water have been distributed. 23 relief workers are coordinating the aid, assisted by 10 trucks and two field kitchens.
