Catastrophic damage and vast humanitarian need in Turkey and Syria
Updated 21/02/2023: A third earthquake, of 6.4 magnitude, struck Türkiye at 20.04 local time on Monday 20 February. News is still unfolding about the damage and injury caused by this earthquake, which hit the Hatay province and was felt across the region.
Our teams continue to provide shelter and other essential aid, as well as supporting the wounded and traumatised. Please donate to this Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal if you can.
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On Monday 6 February at 4:17am local time, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey (officially known as Türkiye) near the city of Gaziantep, devastating parts of Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria. It was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks.
Then at 13:24 local time, a second earthquake (M7.5) hit the Elbistan district around 80 miles north of Gaziantep.
Rescuers raced to save people trapped beneath the rubble, and get shelter and support to those in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria who had lost their homes or were afraid to return inside.
The Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) has launched a crisis response operation and mobilised teams in more than 10 regions across the country, while the Syrian Arab Red Crescent is delivering assistance and support to those in need in the regions of Hama, Aleppo and Lattakia.
With homes destroyed, power down, and hospitals, bridges and roads damaged, thousands of people are in urgent need of help.
How will my donation help people in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria?
More than 5,000 Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) and Syrian Arab Red Crescent staff and volunteers are working around the clock in unimaginably difficult conditions to help people who have lost everything.
The best way you can help those affected by the earthquakes is to donate to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal.
Your donation will be used to reach people in urgent need in the aftermath of the earthquakes. It will provide support and aid that includes:
- Distributing essentials like food water and blankets
- Setting up temporary shelters to support thousands of survivors who are facing freezing conditions
- Providing first aid and crisis support
- Assisting with the rescue efforts and getting people vital medical aid
- Providing psychosocial support to those who have been traumatised
Our teams will continue working to ensure that as many survivors as possible have access to the help that they need. Snow and bad weather mean that people who have lost their homes are facing freezing temperatures, so warmth, shelter and sustenance are some of our highest priorities.
What is the DEC?
We're part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which unites 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialists in different areas of disaster response.
They only launch appeals at times of monumental suffering , which is clearly the case in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria right now. They're very effective at helping promote awareness and raising vital funds.
Please donate today and help us reach families and communities who have lost everything.
Donate here to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal
We'll be updating this page throughout the coming days with more information from our team on what's happening, and how your support will help people.