Emergency
Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria
On February 6, two powerful earthquakes and hundreds of aftershocks rocked southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria. Thousands of people lost their lives and millions lost their homes.
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The Situation
This page is being updated as the situation evolves.
On Monday February 6, two powerful earthquakes and hundreds of aftershocks rocked southeastern Türkiye (Turkey) and northern Syria. As of April 2023, the death toll had surpassed 50,000 people.
The impact of the earthquakes was devastating, with nearly 300,000 buildings either damaged or destroyed. The aftermath of the disaster has left approximately 1.6 million individuals residing in informal settlements, where access to essential services is scarce, and the living conditions are challenging. Roughly 3 million people had to relocate from their homes.
Meryem Aslan, Oxfam spokesperson in Ankara, said: "Even as Turkiye has a lot of expertise in dealing with the aftermath of earthquakes, the scale of this one is daunting," she explains. "The number of survivors who maybe left now with absolutely nothing is likely to be huge."
What is Oxfam Doing?
The recent earthquakes have caused massive devastation, but Oxfam and its partners are working tirelessly to support those affected in the short and long term.
Oxfam KEDV, Oxfam's affiliate in Türkiye, is working with local partners —around 80 women's cooperatives in 10 Turkish provinces — in the areas hardest hit by the quakes. Together, we're delivering water, sanitation services, food, shelter, and psychological support while laying the groundwork for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts that will extend well into the future.
Oxfam's work in Syria has been ongoing for over three decades. Since the civil war began in 2011, Oxfam has continued to provide much-needed support such as shelter, medical care, water, and non-food items. However, the earthquakes have altered the scale of aid dramatically.
Any donation, big or small, makes a meaningful difference in these challenging times.