Our partners providing lifesaving assistance in Syria and Türkiye

Following the two catastrophic earthquakes that devastated north-west Syria and south-eastern Türkiye (formerly Turkey) on Monday 6 February 2023, our local partners have rapidly scaled up their activities in the region, responding to the immediate needs of children and their families.

The earthquakes caused the deaths and injury of thousands of people, leaving widespread scenes of devastation, with homes reduced to rubble and vital services destroyed.

In North-West Syria, displaced families are seeking refuge in schools, churches, mosques and other temporary shelters. Our partner organisation, Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), are supporting sheltering families with food, water, blankets and sleeping bags.

The region has been experiencing regular aftershocks and a harsh winter snowstorm, hampering rescue efforts.

Our other partner in the region, International Medical Corps (IMC), are rapidly scaling up activities to address immediate needs and provide longer-term support to local healthcare providers and facilities.

Their response so far includes:

• deploying three trucks carrying 15 metric tons of medications, medical supplies
  and cholera kits to support facilities in Aleppo, Hama and Lattakia in Syria
• establishing three mobile medical units to provide primary health, trauma and
  sexual and reproductive health services to up to 1,000 patients per week
• working with local partners in Türkiye to buy and distribute food and non-food items to affected communities.

Through in-country partners like IMC and MECC, we’re able to maximise our impact when responding to disasters like this.

You can help by making a donation to our Turkiye Syria Earthquake Appeal.