There is huge solidarity with the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey on February 6, 2023. The people affected, and the children in particular, are in urgent need of help. UNICEF has been working on the ground from day one.
Immediately after the first earthquake, UNICEF was ready to commence operations in both Turkey and Syria. Although many of our local staff have themselves also been affected by the natural disaster, with some even losing their homes, they are working around the clock to help families in need.
UNICEF’s aid in Syria
In the case of Syria, the earthquake hit a country that was already facing one of the most complex emergencies in the world. After 12 years of civil war, two thirds of the population are in need of aid, with the economic crisis, displacement and the ravaged public infrastructure all putting additional strain on the Syrian people. Now many of them have lost everything again, and are having to sleep outdoors or in emergency shelters.
This made it all the more important that UNICEF was able to provide aid right from day one. Since then, mobile health and nutrition teams have been deployed to provide medical care to people in emergency shelters and urban districts, and to treat children suffering from malnutrition. More than 1,100 people have been reached so far (as of February 13, 2023).
As the water supply has been disrupted in many places due to destroyed pipes and damaged water pumps, UNICEF is using trucks to supply drinking water to the communities. Around 20,000 people are receiving water supplies each day (as of February 13, 2023). UNICEF is also distributing disinfectants to prevent disease. Whenever a lot of people come together in a small space, as is the case after a natural disaster like this, there is a high risk of an infectious disease breaking out and spreading quickly. Syria experienced a cholera outbreak as recently as September 2022.
Many children are traumatized by the earthquake and the renewed loss. Northern Syria in particular is currently home to families who have already been displaced up to seven times by the civil war. UNICEF is supporting mobile teams that are helping children deal with the horrific experiences. They have already reached 6,000 children and caregivers in Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. Around 70 new trainers have been trained, who can then show the teams how to provide psychosocial first aid (as of February 13, 2023).
UNICEF’s aid in Turkey
UNICEF was also on the ground in Turkey immediately after the earthquake to support families. UNICEF’s activities are focused on protecting children, providing immediate psychosocial support in child-friendly spaces, checking key water points and services, and meeting health and nutrition needs. UNICEF is distributing warm winter clothing for children, and blankets and hygiene kits for families. Together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, UNICEF is mobilizing an additional 5,000 volunteers to support local response teams on the ground. A total of 8,000 volunteers will then have been deployed.
Thanks to a large warehouse, UNICEF has already been able to mobilize 10,000 emergency supplies, including winter jackets, hygiene kits and other vital items. In the coming days, UNICEF will also distribute 4,700 blankets, 1,000 sleeping bags and 1,000 mobile chargers (as of February 13, 2023).
Child protection is a high priority for UNICEF in both Turkey and Syria. This includes identifying and reuniting separated and unaccompanied children and providing psychosocial support to traumatized children.
With regard to education, UNICEF is committed to ensuring that children can return to school as soon as possible. Damage to schools is being checked and preparations made for immediate repairs. Provisional learning spaces are also being set up, as some schools in the affected areas have been closed until further notice.
