100 days after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the humanitarian needs are still there
100 days after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the humanitarian needs are still there
16 May 2023
On 6 February, more than 55,000 people lost their lives and 15.6 million people were affected by major earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Immediately, thousands of members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement were on the ground to provide assistance to affected communities.
The Luxembourg Red Cross, thanks to the generosity of the general public and several companies, was able to raise almost one million euros. To ensure that these funds are used in the best possible way, we have joined forces with the German Red Cross, which has already been active for many years in projects with the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
Situation in Turkey
In Turkey, 9.1 million people are still suffering the consequences of the earthquakes and will need support for many months to come. The Turkish Red Crescent is doing a lot:
Food: 300 million hot meals and drinking water have been provided in the affected areas.
Housing: 2.7 million people are sleeping in tents equipped with blankets and heating systems.
Hygiene and water: 200,000 hygiene kits and sanitary containers have been provided.
Health: more than 140,000 people have received health care or psychosocial support, provided by mobile units. Blood collection campaigns are also regularly organised.
Financial support: 600,000 vulnerable people have received cash assistance to help them meet their needs, and 140,000 vouchers have been distributed.
Situation in Syria
In Syria, 6.5 million people have been affected by the earthquakes in a country already weakened by 12 years of conflict. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent quickly mobilized 4,000 staff and volunteers on the ground:
Food: more than 124,000 food rations were distributed to the affected population.
Housing: more than 200 shelters and tens of thousands of blankets, mattresses and tarpaulins were distributed.
Hygiene and water: to address the spread of infectious diseases, the teams on the ground have been working to provide adequate sanitation facilities and facilitate access to clean and safe water. They also distributed essential hygiene items.
Health: more than one million people received medicines and were treated by mobile clinics and health units.
Community services: 185,000 services such as mental health first aid, earthquake management information and legal advice were provided.
Long-term humanitarian needs
The first 100 days are only the beginning of the humanitarian response. The scale of the destruction is such that reconstruction is only just starting: millions of homes have been damaged, critical infrastructure has collapsed and businesses have been destroyed. Despite considerable efforts by local and international actors since day one, the situation remains difficult for millions of survivors.
Additional support is needed to meet immediate needs and to provide opportunities for those affected to reinvent their futures.
You can continue to support Red Cross operations on the ground by making a donation by bank transfer (IBAN LU52 1111 0000 1111 0000; Reference: Séisme Turquie Syrie) or by clicking on the link below.
