UN sends aid to earthquake-affected people in Turkey

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it has sent 400 winterized family tents, 200 of which arrived in the city of Erzurum yesterday, while the rest were due to be delivered today.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) sent 4,000 tents, 50,000 blankets and 10,000 bed mats, while the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) gave 250 tents.

There are concerns over freezing night-time temperatures and access to safe water and sanitation in the affected area, according to OCHA.

The 7.2-magnitude earthquake near the city of Van on Sunday is reported to have killed at least 500 people and injured an estimated 1,600 others, according to figures provided by the Turkish authorities.

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> United Nations (UN).

The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945 by 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN: membership totals 192 countries.

When States become Members of the United Nations, they agree to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, an international treaty that sets out basic principles of international relations. According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes:

• to maintain international peace and security;
• to develop friendly relations among nations;
• to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights;
• and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.

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* The above story is adapted from materials provided by United Nations (UN)
** More information at United Nations (UN)