Description

On 6 February 2023, a series of powerful earthquakes struck Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria, resulting in over 55,000 fatalities. These were the most severe earthquakes the region had experienced in two decades.

The initial earthquake, measuring 7.8 in magnitude, hit in the early hours of 6 February 2023, when most people were asleep in their homes. The epicenter was near Gaziantep in Turkey, roughly 150 miles north of the Syrian border.

In Syria, the earthquakes caused extensive damage, including collapsed buildings in the Aleppo, Idlib, Lattakia, and Hamma governorates, as well as severe destruction in rural Damascus.

This was followed shortly after by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and then another 6.4 magnitude earthquake.

Many survivors still live amongst the rubble and are constantly reminded of the disaster. Families are still searching for their loved ones and struggling to find closure.

The scale of the need remains vast. In Syria, the earthquakes directly affected eight million people, resulting in the loss of over 5,550 lives and nearly 12,000 injuries.

Thousands of individuals remain displaced, many of whom were already living in precarious conditions due to 12 years of armed conflict and a worsening economic crisis. The earthquakes have exacerbated the extensive destruction of cities and towns and led to significant internal and international displacement.

There continues to be a critical need for relief, recovery, and long-term support. This including the distribution of essential aid items, providing financial assistance to help families rebuild their lives and homes, and assisting with the removal of rubble.