Problems encountered during natural disasters: a questionnaire study

Human being has been encountering huge natural mass disasters since the dawn of existence. In the earthquake both Marmara region on August 17 1999 and Duzce region on November 12 1999, according to official records, 18.287 people were dead and 46.857 were injured. The purpose of this study is to get information by bilateral interviews with those who witnessed this big earthquake in different districts and to contribute in forming a prepared "disaster administration" consciousness for the prospective disasters, under the basis of these information. This study was made by interviewing with 262 people, 82 of whom witnessed the earthquake in the city of Yalova, 90 in Izmit, Bolu and Golcuk and 90 in Istanbul, used a questionnaire form consisted of multi choice and commentary questions. It is of very importance to diffuse educational programmes to increase social consciousness and sensibility about earthquake. Some projects to meet the basic requirements like communication, rescue, accommodation, nutrition and urgent medical support must be developed and embodied. Measures enabling to determine the identities of those who lose their lives in the earthquake must be determined and organized with the collaboration of forensic medical units.