Two devastating earthquakes (magnitude of 7.7 and 7.6) struck southeast Türkiye in the early hours of Monday 6 February 2023, followed by several aftershocks. The earthquakes killed tens of thousands of people and injured many more in the region, as well as in bordering Syria.
This was the largest earthquake Türkiye and Syria have faced in more than a century.
Both the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and Turkish Red Crescent responded immediately, with thousands of volunteers and staff working around the clock to provide life-saving care.
Months later, millions of people continue to be affected and displaced and in need of shelter, health and mental health services, sanitation, food, and water.
Our emergency appeals
The IFRC launched two Emergency Appeals to support the response of our National Societies on the ground, with a combined value of 650 million Swiss francs (CHF). Follow these links to learn more about each appeal and priorities for the response:
- In Syria: 200 million Swiss francs to support the Syrian Arab Red Crescent
- In Türkiye: 450 million Swiss francs to support the Turkish Red Crescent
Donations
Please use the following links to donate to our response in each country:
We are grateful for your valuable support which will enable us to help the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and Turkish Red Crescent to deliver lifesaving support.
Click here for general information about donating to the IFRC.
Media enquiries
If you are a journalist and would like more information or to request an interview about this emergency, please email [email protected].
What are our National Societies doing?
Both the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent have been at the very heart of this earthquake response.
In Türkiye, Turkish Red Crescent deployed more than 5,000 staff and volunteers in ten affected provinces with stocks of food and basic aid items to support those injured and evacuated. Teams have distributed more than 300 million hot meals to people outdoors and at emergency shelters.
In Syria, Syrian Arab Red Crescent teams responded with 4,000 volunteers and staff in the hardest hit areas – including Hama, Aleppo, Lattakia and Tartous. Through their clinics and mobile health units, they have provided healthcare and medicines for more than 1.1 million people. And they have distributed more than 3.2 million humanitarian relief items, including shelter, blankets, mattresses, winter clothes, hygiene supplies, and food and agriculture supplies.
Red Crescent National Societies in both Türkiye and Syria are providing mental health and psychosocial support to those in need to alleviate distress and refer them to long-term mental health care services where necessary.
The earthquake prompted a huge wave of solidarity from the IFRC network: dozens of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from around the world have offered technical support. Many of them have supported the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent with emergency relief items. Almost 60 National Societies have started domestic fundraising campaigns.
Follow these Twitter accounts for the latest updates:
- @IFRC
- @IFRC_Europe
- @IFRC_MENA
- @SYRedCrescent - Syrian Arab Red Crescent
- @RedCrescent - Turkish Red Crescent
- @BirgitteEbbesen - IFRC Europe Regional Director, Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen
- @elsharkawi - IFRC MENA Regional Director, Hossam Elsharkawi
Useful links
- Press release from 3 March: "Türkiye and Syria one month on: A mental health ticking time bomb"
- Press release from 16 February: "Syria and Türkiye: IFRC increases emergency funding ask to CHF 650 million, as humanitarian needs rise"
- Press release from 11 February: "IFRC calls for long term support and solidarity for the people of Türkiye and Syria"
- Our first press release from Monday 6 February with an initial update and announcing our two appeals.
- Rights-free photos and videos from our response so far which you can download and use.
- General information about earthquakes and earthquake preparedness.
