In the early morning of February 6, 2023, a catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the border area between Türkiye and Syria, resulting in the loss of over 50,000 lives in Türkiye and an additional 5,900 in Syria, alongside thousands of injuries. “Numerous families are still grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy. Survivors are faced with the sorrow and trauma of those harrowing days,” stated Martin Griffiths, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator. “Today, we once again remember the survivors and those mourning their loved ones. We remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance to those in need,” he continued.
The earthquake exacerbated an already critical humanitarian situation in Syria, where approximately 16.7 million individuals are projected to require aid in 2024. Additionally, there are around 1.75 million Syrian refugees located in regions of Türkiye affected by the quake. In both nations, entire neighborhoods were obliterated, and thousands of structures—including schools, hospitals, mosques, and churches—sustained severe damage or complete destruction.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned that the repercussions of this disaster will be felt for many years, as many individuals remain in temporary shelters. Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesperson for the health organization, indicated that the earthquake has generated new and pressing health requirements for both refugee and host communities in Türkiye. “The catastrophe disrupted access to essential health services, including maternal and newborn care, vaccinations, management of non-communicable diseases, mental health support, and rehabilitation services,” he informed reporters during a press conference at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG). He further noted that the earthquake struck regions in Syria already heavily impacted by a protracted 13-year conflict, leading to repeated displacements, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and a significantly weakened healthcare system. The WHO, along with its health partners, continues to provide services focusing on maternal and child health, cholera prevention, physical rehabilitation, and mental health support. Mr. Jasarevic stressed the importance of international assistance for the WHO and its partners to maintain these essential health services in Syria.
As the one-year mark approaches for the Türkiye earthquake, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has been offering protection assistance, including psychosocial support, shelter, cash aid, and other resources to those affected in Syria. In Türkiye, in collaboration with the government-led response, the agency has supplied over three million relief items, such as tents, containers, hygiene kits, bedding, and warm clothing for both refugees and local residents in temporary accommodation centers. While UNHCR acknowledges the prompt and generous support provided by donors, spokesperson Shabia Mantoo emphasized the need for ongoing contributions to address critical humanitarian requirements. “To promote better responsibility sharing with Türkiye, we are also advocating for an increase in resettlement options for refugees, particularly for the most vulnerable who need long-term solutions and a fresh beginning elsewhere,” she stated.
