Aid for Families in Syria

Early in the morning on February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkiye and northwest Syria causing massive damage. Later that day a second earthquake of 7.5 magnitude struck the region, increasing the level of impact.

More than 7,200 deaths and 10,000 injuries have been reported in northwest Syria. At least 8.8 million people have been affected in Syria, the majority of whom relied on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs prior to the earthquake. This is an extremely vulnerable population and this emergency has added tremendous pressure to an already overstretched response.

GlobalMedic has been responding in Syria since 2014 and has been mobilizing to support communities affected by the earthquakes.

We have procured 17 locally made water purification systems in Turkiye with the same specifications as our AquaResponse systems. We are training our local partners on the operation and maintenance of these systems and they are then transported across the border for use inside Syria.

Our volunteers in Canada are preparing Family Emergency Kits and Emergency Food Kits to ship and distribute to affected families. Family Emergency Kits are designed to help families address the critical issues that they face in the wake of disaster. Each Family Emergency Kit contains a Point of Use Water Purification Solution, and essential hygiene items. These kits can provide an entire family with safe, clean drinking water and help to keep families clean and healthy, which can prevent further illness. They also contain solar lights. Emergency Food Kits contain a mixture of culturally appropriate pantry items to supplement a families’ diet. We are also adding in water purification tablets and solar lights to the food kits to provide additional resources to affected families. We have shipped 6,400 Emergency Food Kits and 2,880 Family Emergency Kits to our partners in Syria.

We will be continuing to respond to needs as they emerge. All funds raised will go towards the distribution of Family Emergency Kits and Emergency Food Kits.

As we move into the new year, Syrians are still facing conflict and violence. There are a multitude of challenges the country is dealing with, making it one of the most complex humanitarian emergencies in the world. Basic services are struggling, chloera has spread across the country and economic indicators continue to worsen. As a result, 15.3 million people are estimated to require humanitarian assistance in 2023. This is the highest level of need since the start of the conflict.

GlobalMedic is responding by sending Family Emergency Kits and Emergency Food Kits to Syria. All donations go towards procurement and distribution of aid in Syria.

Family Emergency Kits provide reliable access to clean drinking water for up to a year. Each kit contains a water purification system that is easy to use and portable. When families lose access to clean drinking water, rates of water borne illnesses skyrocket. Not only this, but lack of proper hygiene practices can further promote the spread of illnesses such as COVID-19. As the pandemic continues, and Syria is among the hardest hit nations in the Middle East, hygiene supplies are included in each kit. Solar lights are then added to provide a sense of comfort and normalcy.

Emergency Food Kits are assembled by volunteers, and combine culturally appropriate food items. By providing families with options, they are able to decide which nutritious pantry staple fits their family's dietary preferences best. These pantry staples include rice, green lentils and chickpeas. With millions of families across Syria facing severe food insecurity, distributing shelf-stable food items is crucial.

Please donate today to help us send more aid to those affected by this ongoing conflict in Syria!