It's now over a year since massive earthquakes hit Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria, devastating lives.
Our colleagues in the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay as it is officially known) and Syrian Arab Red Crescent have been at the heart of this response, working around the clock to provide emergency aid to those affected. Today staff and volunteers continue to support those hardest hit with the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Thanks to their efforts and the generosity of Red Cross supporters, we've been able to reach 14 million people in their hour of need.
The impacts of the earthquakes are still being deeply felt, one year on. Buildings, schools, homes, and other infrastructure were destroyed. With both countries facing a bitter winter, freezing temperatures bring an additional layer of hardship to those displaced or still living in temporary shelters.
Though debris and rubble are being cleared, it will be many years before communities return to any sense of normality. We still need funds to support people now and in the longer term as they rebuild their lives.
Please, donate to our earthquake appeal today, if you can.
How has the Red Cross helped people affected?
Red Crescent teams in both Türkiye and Syria responded to the earthquake immediately. Since then, more than 80,000 staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide vital support across both countries.
In Türkiye:
• Distributing over 11.6 million relief items. Providing people with essentials like kitchen sets, blankets, food parcels, hygiene kits, clothing and baby items.
• Providing 426 million hot meals. Doing what they can to make sure families won’t go hungry.
• Giving over 207,000 people vital mental health and psychosocial support. Helping people process the trauma of losing loved ones and homes.
• 11 mobile health units have reached 47,000 people needing healthcare who are living in rural areas and hard-to-reach areas.
• £45.6 million given in cash and voucher assistance. Giving people dignity and autonomy and helping them to get back on their feet.
In Syria:
• Over 3 million people reached with essential health services. Including first aid, ambulance services, cash assistance, mental health support and clean water. Our teams have also helped with reconstructing homes and other damaged buildings.
• Cash support for over 33,000 families. Meaning they can choose the essentials they need for their family's needs.
• Providing meals for 1.57 million people in areas where food is scarce and markets have been destroyed.
• Handing out 1.28 million toiletries such as soap, toothpaste and sanitary products.
• Providing 392,000 water and rehabilitation services which includes water tanks and pump installations.
Of course, there are still serious challenges. The humanitarian need remains acute, particularly in Syria. Please help us continue to be there for the people caught up in this emergency for as long as they need us.
Donate to our earthquake appeal.
How can I help?
The best way to help people affected by the earthquakes is to donate to our appeal. Your donation could help our teams continue to provide:
• Food and shelter for people who’ve lost their homes and livelihoods.
• Clean water, hygiene items and sanitation services, especially for people living in temporary shelters.
• First aid and healthcare to those who are at risk from disease or are struggling to access normal healthcare services.
• Blankets and warm clothing to people who been left with nothing and are facing extremely harsh weather conditions.
• Mental health support for those who’ve lost loved ones and are living fear of more earthquakes.
Please consider making a donation to our appeal today.
In the event that there are any surplus Donation monies which are not required for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal these Donation monies may be used for other BRC, ICRC, IFRC and/or Partner National Societies charitable work globally at their discretion
Image Copyright: © Syrian Arab Red Crescent
Caption: Syrian Arab Red Crescent workers rescue and provide first aid to people after buildings collapse due to the earthquake.
