On the 27th, it will be three weeks since the massive earthquake that struck southern Turkey on the 6th of this month.

In Turkey and Syria, the combined death toll has surpassed 50,000, and more than 1.91 million people in Turkey have been forced to evacuate.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southern Turkey on the 6th of this month and the subsequent quake have killed more than 50,000 people, including 44,374 in Turkey and 5,914 in neighboring Syria.



According to the Turkish government, more than 1.91 million people have been forced to evacuate in tents, etc., while it has been three weeks since the earthquake occurred on the 27th.



As evacuation life is prolonged, mental care for victims has become an issue, and according to the Turkish government, more than 910,000 cases of emotional support have been provided to victims and others. .



In particular, mental care for children is important, and UNICEF = United Nations Children's Fund points out the need for support as some children may develop depression and PTSD = post-traumatic stress disorder.

Puppet show to bring smiles to children

There is a man who travels around the affected areas and puts on puppet shows in the hopes of restoring smiles to the faces of the children.



Mehmet Ikirel, a drama teacher at a school in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, has been driving around the affected areas after the earthquake and putting on plays using handmade puppets.



On the 26th, he performed a play based on a Turkish folktale in front of about 50 children at a square in Gaziantep in the south.



When Ikirel changed the tone of voice for each doll and occasionally showed magic tricks, the gathered children raised a loud cheer as they leaned forward.



A 13-year-old boy said, ``Everyone was depressed after the earthquake, and I'm afraid of aftershocks.



According to Mr. Ikirel, it seems that some children are suddenly screaming or becoming aggressive as the evacuation life is prolonged, indicating that they are under stress.



Mr. Ikirel said, "I want to continue the puppet show until the children can live a normal life."