Responding to Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

An estimated 16.7 million Syrians will require humanitarian assistance in 2024. The widespread and intense nature of the war has led to one of the largest population movements since World War II, with more than 7.2 million people displaced inside Syria and millions more seeking refuge in neighboring countries and beyond. Those who have remained in the country face increasing challenges in accessing and affording basic services and commodities, which was exacerbated by the devastating earthquake.

The February 2023 earthquakes, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks of cholera and other water-borne diseases—compounded by the prolonged conflict and worsening security situation in northern Syria—have severely compromised the country’s healthcare system. Some hospitals and clinics have been destroyed; the remaining health facilities continue to grapple with severe shortages of supplies, equipment and qualified personnel. Deteriorating socio-economic conditions and environmental pressures have further stretched the health system’s capacity, leading to an increase in water-borne diseases and critically worsening the nutritional status of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, and deepening the public health crisis.

With two primary healthcare clinics and nine mobile medical teams (MMTs), we provide healthcare services across several governorates, including Aleppo, Damascus, Rural Damascus, Daraa, Hama and Latakia. These facilities are crucial for delivering essential primary healthcare services such as disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, reproductive health, nutrition services and health education.

For example, following the earthquakes, we deployed additional MMTs to provide primary healthcare services and strengthen health systems in the most affected areas. This proactive response was crucial in mitigating the disaster’s impact on the already vulnerable population.

We ensure that those in need receive referrals to specialized care, and provide essential medical support and supplies to patients with disabilities.

In addition to providing routine care, we have bolstered the healthcare infrastructure by providing vital medical equipment and supplies—including donations of critical equipment to public hospitals and supporting operating theaters—which has helped to improve service delivery in facilities affected by the recent crises.

International Medical Corps remains committed to supporting and enhancing the resilience and sustainability of Syria’s public health system. Through our continued efforts, we aim to build a robust foundation for the ongoing delivery of medical care, ensuring that the health system can withstand current challenges and future crises.