The UN and partners have been rushing to support Türkiye and neighbouring Syria in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck on 6 February. The earthquakes struck at the peak of winter, leaving hundreds of thousands of people – including small children and elderly people – without access to shelter, food, water, heaters and medical care in freezing temperatures. © UNICEF/Özgür Ölçer Together with partners, the UN is delivering hot meals, food, tents, warm winter clothing, blankets, mattresses and kitchen sets to people in need and dispatching medical supplies and personnel to affected areas.
Shock and devastation
As the UN chief noted, Türkiye also hosts the world’s largest number of refugees. Some 3.6 million Syrians have found a safe haven there, along with nearly 320,000 people of other nationalities, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. The UN is coordinating the operations of thousands of search-and-rescue personnel in five provinces – Adiyaman, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Malatya – and humanitarian organizations have begun relief operations in the hardest-hit areas, in support of the Government-led response.
A once-in-a-generation disaster
Two boys walk through the earthquake damaged streets of Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. “I met families who shared their stories of shock and devastation. We must stand with them in their darkest hour and ensure they receive the support they need,” he added. “The people of Türkiye have experienced unspeakable heartache,” said Mr. Griffiths, who visited the country last week. The funding, which covers a three-month-period, will allow aid organizations to swiftly ramp up their operations to support Government-led response efforts in areas that include food security, protection, education, water and shelter. “Now is the time for the world to support the people of Türkiye – just as they have stood in solidarity with others seeking assistance.”
Additionally, psychosocial support is being provided, and child-friendly spaces and safe spaces for women are being established.
Refugees also affected
“Türkiye is home to the largest number of refugees in the world and has shown enormous generosity to its Syrian neighbors for years,” he said. More than nine million people in Türkiye alone have been directly impacted by the once-in-a-generation disaster, which has left 35,000 people dead, according to latest figures from the Government.
Wide-ranging support
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to step up and fully fund the response effort. The UN’s Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, also called for countries to support the appeal. More than 1.74 million refugees live in the 11 provinces impacted by the earthquakes. Some 47,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged, including schools, hospitals and other essential services.
