On February 14, 2023, local time, Adana, Turkey, a father gently kissed his son's forehead in the hospital. The 11-year-old boy was buried in the rubble of the earthquake with his sister and parents and eventually rescued. The children still don't know that their mother was killed in the earthquake. Visual China map
As of the early morning of February 15, local time, the successive strong earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have killed more than 41,000 people in the two countries. Meanwhile, an increasing number of survivors are being found to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where they are in a state of panic. Affected by cold weather and sanitary conditions, the number of infectious diseases among people in the affected areas is also increasing.
According to Reuters on February 14, the survivors of the Turkish-Syrian earthquake have experienced great trauma, and in the process of receiving medical treatment, the psychological state of the survivors and the epidemic of infectious diseases in the disaster area have gradually attracted attention.
Indian Army Major Beena Tiwari, who works in field hospitals, told Reuters that "the initial patients [who needed treatment] were those who were crushed under the rubble and injured because they experienced the shock in the earthquake." Now more patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. She further added that many of the victims suffered from panic attacks.
On February 14, 2023, local time, people affected by the earthquake gathered in front of their demolished houses in Aleppo, Syria. Visual China map
PTSD is caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events, and PTSD patients experience traumatic events again through nightmares, etc., and may have sleep disturbances or difficulty concentrating. One unnamed Turkish health system official confessed, "People are only now beginning to realize what happened to them after this period of shock." ”
In Syria, Ahmed, 9, lives in a makeshift health centre. The centre, run by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), aims to provide "psychological first aid" to children. His father, Hassan Moath, said any loud noise or movement would frighten Ahmed and "sometimes he would fall asleep and wake up and say 'earthquake.'" ”
On February 14, 2023, local time, Hatay, Turkey, the warship has been converted into a field hospital. Visual China map
In addition to the mental health damage caused by trauma, cold weather and poor sanitation in temporary shelters put people at risk of infectious diseases. Yaduvir Singh, head of Turkey's Iskendelun Hospital, said that they have also found more patients with infectious diseases and upper respiratory infections, and thousands of people living outside in tents in cold weather will be greatly affected.
In response to the issue of medical assistance for people affected by the disaster, the World Health Organization launched an appeal for $43 million to provide trauma care and rehabilitation, essential medicines, mental and psychological support to the affected people, and to continue to provide routine health services in Turkey.
On February 14, 2023, local time, Hatai, Turkey, a couple was rescued from under the rubble 209 hours after the earthquake. Visual China map
"The demand is huge and increasing every hour. About 26 million people in both countries are in need of humanitarian assistance. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said in a statement, "There is also growing concern about emerging health issues related to cold weather, hygiene and sanitation, and infectious disease epidemics." ”