Turkey and Syria Earthquake Resources

February 7, 2023

On February 6, a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Turkey along the border of northwest Syria followed by a magnitude 7.5 aftershock that hit the region shortly after. It has been reported that over 7,200 people have been killed and thousands more injured and missing. The scale of severe damage across the region and freezing weather conditions are anticipated to complicate response and rescue efforts, especially given the ongoing conflict in northern Syria. The World Health Organization has warned a staggering 23 million people, including 1.4 million children, could be exposed to the harsh elements.

How to Help
As the international community considers ways to support Turkey and Syria with their recovery efforts, the following organizations are actively involved in providing immediate relief, assistance, and essential services to those impacted by this disaster:

Islamic Relief is on the ground in both southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria. The organization is providing cash vouchers to enable those worst affected in Turkey to meet their immediate needs. In Syria, they are providing health and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics, as well as blankets and tents for those made homeless by the earthquake.

Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) launched a Turkey Relief Fund and is working with vetted partner organizations in the region and surrounding nations. Through HHRD’s programs, volunteers and locals are coordinating development and relief activities for Turkish residents and Syrian and Uyghur refugees.

Syrian American Medical Society Foundation (SAMS) medical teams are working around the clock to treat hundreds of victims in northwest Syria. SAMS supports at least 36 medical facilities in the affected region near the epicenter, and other medical facilities across the country. They are evacuating patients from damaged hospitals and facilities, while also working closely with local partners in a coordinated emergency response.

Save the Children has allocated $2M from their Children’s Emergency Fund to respond to the crisis. In Turkey, they are establishing a response team in close coordination with the government to support the national emergency response across the region. In Syria, they are working to assess the scale of the damage to provide support that children desperately need.

International Medical Corps (IMC) is working with public authorities to coordinate a medical response in both Syria and Turkey to ensure that support efforts are not duplicated. IMC is currently the only international NGO in Syria with direct medical deployment capacity.

Doctors without Borders has mobilized with local partners to respond to the increasing medical needs in Syria, where the United Nations has confirmed that over 20,000 people have been wounded. In Turkey, the organization is working with International Blue Crescent to supports hospitals with supplies for trauma surgery.

CCF fundholders who wish to support these efforts through their donor advised fund may make grants directly on DonorConnect. For any questions, please contact your Relationship Manager or email DonorRelations@calfund.org.

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