Catastrophic earthquake
On February 6, 2023, an earthquake struck the border region between Türkiye and northwestern Syria, bringing massive destruction and claiming at least 56,000 victims. It disrupted the lives of around seven million children. These children are now urgently dependent on humanitarian aid. They still lack shelter, medical care, access to education and basic services. UNICEF continues to work with local partners to bring lifesaving aid to children and families affected by the earthquake.
Syria and Türkiye. After the earthquake of February 6, 2023, UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein quickly joined in supporting emergency relief measures in northwestern Syria and southeastern Türkiye. The earthquake put the entire region in immediate danger – in the middle of winter. In northwestern Syria, the situation was even more precarious because of twelve years of armed conflict. More than seven million children are dependent on emergency relief. Ten provinces in Türkiye were affected by the earthquake. It disrupted services covering basic needs and caused thousands of families to lose their homes. The inhabitants of entire villages are being housed in temporary shelters. Right after the earthquake hit, UNICEF increased funds to provide emergency relief to five million children in northwestern Syria. The focus is now on repairing damaged infrastructure and meeting people’s basic needs. In the first three months alone, UNICEF was able to send 189 trucks filled with lifesaving emergency supplies into northwestern Syria over the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam border crossings. UNICEF also made overhauls to sanitary facilities to prevent the spread of diseases. These measures brought help to 805,000 people. In Türkiye, UNICEF is helping the Turkish government in its humanitarian measures. By the end of the year, UNICEF had provided access to safe drinking water for 3,081,291 people and educational programs for 947,334 children.