I would like to talk about the importance of nutrition for our earthquake survivors in these difficult days when our throats are in knots after the disaster. While the work of the search and rescue teams and the first aid given to the rescued disaster victims are of vital importance in the first hours of the earthquake and in the following hours, feeding the earthquake victims is also very important.
In the face of all these unexpected events, the family, property, property… everything of the people who were saved or who saved their own lives! One of the emotions they experience in addition to their loss is ‘What will happen next?’ is a concern. It is essential to meet the basic needs of our people affected by the disaster in order to continue their lives. Although nutrition is considered as a physiological event, it is also a psychological and sociological event, and in the case of nutrition, it should be ensured that individuals who are rescued reach sufficient nutrients as a priority. In this great disaster we have experienced, it is very important to organize health and nutrition services in case of an emergency, for our rescued people to continue their lives and to overcome this situation psychologically as well as physiologically.
The feeding of people rescued after the earthquake can become a very serious public health problem and even indirectly cause them to lose their lives. Risk groups should also be considered while making nutrition programs. Pregnant and lactating women, 0-6 age group infants and children, the elderly, metabolic and immune system diseases such as celiac are among the risk groups. Apart from age, gender and physiological conditions, climatic conditions and food safety are also essential conditions. We are in the winter months and the weather conditions in the earthquake zones are advancing heavily. It is important to choose foods that can be consumed easily and that do not spoil quickly, within the selection of high-calorie and protein-rich foods. If the selected foodstuffs are not suitable for storage conditions, they may cause intestinal infections and food poisoning.
Apart from food, it should be remembered that tools such as clean water, fuel, portable cooking stoves, cooking utensils, matches are among the basic needs. Although feeding is quite difficult according to age groups among our earthquake victims who are in need of nutritional support, infant feeding, regardless of the conditions in short-term nutrition; It should be supported both as breast milk and as a formula supplement. Breastfeeding will be a life saver for our babies while accelerating the healing process.
In the establishment of a long-term nutrition system, collective nutrition programs should be prepared in order to prevent malnutrition formation, epidemic or risky diseases (tuberculosis, diarrhea, hepatitis, etc.). While considering the addition of food and special nutritional supplements to the normal nutritional needs of individuals, an additional meal should be given each day to infants, children, pregnant and lactating. In long-term nutrition programs, a diet that will provide 1800 kcal/day per person should be established, except for those who need special nutrition, and 55-60% of the daily energy intake should be met from carbohydrates, 13-15% from protein and 25-30% from fat. In the long-term nutrition plan, in addition to cereal group foods, cheese, yoghurt and protein-containing canned products; Processed foods with high nutritional value such as meat, milk, eggs, legumes, fresh fruits, oil seeds (walnuts, almonds, etc.) and the pastes of these oil seeds (peanut butter, tahini or tahini halva) should be added.
Regardless of the short-term or long-term nutrition plan, the provision of food safety, hygiene and sanitation by health support groups is essential for our earthquake victims to avoid cross-contamination or the risk of foodborne illness. For this reason, field kitchens, subsistence centers, etc. While creating collective feeding areas, health facilities for inspection and control should be established next to them. Also, I regret to mention the health problems that are commonly seen in disaster situations, which are; protein and energy malnutrition, diarrhea, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, hepatitis, parasitic diseases, anemia, vitamin deficiencies, chronic disease complications and nutrition/eating behavior problems.
As Turkey, we are all one heart in these sad days. I hope this article can be a bit of a balm when needed. This pain is our pain. Farewell, Turkey.
