View Header

THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                   (Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                    August 23, 1999

FACT SHEET

                  U.S. Humanitarian Relief Efforts for
                       Turkey Earthquake Victims

Since a devastating earthquake struck Turkey August 17, President Clinton has mobilized public and private resources in a broad-ranging effort to help those affected by this natural disaster. The earthquake caused more than 12,000 deaths and 35,000 injuries, with thousands more still missing. Among the relief operations undertaken by the United States are the following:

The President encourages Americans to help the Turkish people by providing support to relief agencies that are active in the region. Cash donations will enable these organizations to purchase exactly what is needed, locally and regionally, thus speeding up the delivery of assistance. For more information on organizations active in Turkey, call 1-800-USAID-RELIEF or access the USAID web site at www.info.usaid.gov.

# # #