Turkiye Earthquake Response

As of October 2024, it has been over a year and a half since the catastrophic earthquakes struck Türkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023. These devastating events resulted in the loss of more than 60,000 lives and left approximately 1.5 million people homeless. While the immediate crisis has faded from media headlines, the reality for millions remains dire, and the need for humanitarian aid is more pressing than ever.  

The impact of the earthquakes has been profound, with over 14 million individuals directly affected by the disaster and its aftershocks. Cities like Adiyaman and Hatay were devastated, experiencing widespread destruction across a vast area of about 140,000 square miles. Many survivors continue to grapple with the physical and emotional scars left by these events, facing food insecurity, inadequate shelter, and ongoing psychological trauma.  

In Syria, the situation is especially dire. The country has faced a protracted civil war since 2011, resulting in the world’s largest refugee and internal displacement crisis. Over 60% of the pre-war population has been uprooted, with more than 5 million displaced abroad and over 7 million internally displaced. The humanitarian need remains exceptionally high, with an estimated 16.7 million people in Syria requiring assistance in 2024. The earthquakes only worsened an already critical situation, leading to increased food insecurity and heightened vulnerability among displaced communities. 

In Türkiye, Concern Worldwide has been working for over a decade with the government to support the refugee population through education, livelihoods, and protection programs. However, the earthquakes intensified the urgency of this work, leaving millions homeless and compounding the vulnerabilities of those already affected by the refugee crisis. Since the disaster, Concern has positively impacted over 600,000 people in Türkiye, providing essential services such as shelter, food, cash, clean water, sanitation, and psychological support. In response to the earthquakes, our teams mobilized swiftly to deliver urgent aid, reaching over 375,000 individuals. We provided food to over 55,000 people and distributed household kits, including hygiene items, to more than 126,000 individuals affected by the earthquake.  

As we move into the winter months of 2024, survivors face fluctuating temperatures and the uncertainty of rebuilding their lives amidst ongoing trauma. Many still live in temporary shelters, and the psychological impacts of the disaster linger, particularly among children. 

It is essential to recognize that the recovery process will take years, and sustained support is crucial. As the situation evolves, we must not forget those in Türkiyeand Syria who continue to fight for their futures. The work of Concern Worldwide and other organizations continues to be essential in providing life-saving assistance and fostering resilience, but the work is far from over. Their needs are evolving, and so must our responses to ensure they receive the assistance necessary for long-term recovery.   

As we step into the summer months of 2024, we confront the stark reality that the path to recovery remains difficult for those impacted by the earthquakes and 1,600 subsequent aftershocks that struck Türkiye and Syria in February of 2023. One of the most intense seismic shocks ever documented in the region rendered one and a half million people homeless and inflicted profound trauma on millions more. 

The magnitude of the earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks and their profound impact on the lives of individuals in Türkiye and Syria is difficult to comprehend. Historically, communities affected by such catastrophic natural disasters face lengthy journeys towards recovery and return to normalcy. Livelihoods are severely disrupted, economies become fragile, and food insecurity rises, exacerbating vulnerabilities within populations. In Türkiye and Syria, where communities already faced pre-existing vulnerabilities and disadvantages before the sudden earthquake, the challenges to survival and recovery became even more daunting. 

From the onset of the crisis, the people of Türkiye and Syria have shown remarkable resilience as they rebuild their lives. The loss of loved ones, the destruction of their homes, and the psychosocial trauma caused by the earthquakes have created significant uncertainty about the future. Despite this, communities are working tirelessly to restore normality and support each other as they recover from the unprecedented and calamitous natural disasters. Concern Worldwide works closely with other organizations and local partners to address the growing needs of affected communities. Our global disaster team, including specialists in logistics, water and sanitation, shelter, and protection, quickly mobilized to tailor our humanitarian response to meet these needs effectively. 

Our teams quickly kicked into gear to set up tents, install latrines, construct clean water systems, distribute food, household essentials, and hygiene supplies, establish psychosocial services, and provide cash assistance to families who suddenly lost everything. Working closely with our partners, we are enhancing our efforts to provide extended support for recovery. We are steadfast in our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of communities affected by adapting our response accordingly. In Türkiye, our dedicated team has made a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people through their unwavering dedication and efforts, and we continue to ramp up our efforts.  
 
The poignant accounts of survivors depict a challenging reality yet hope endures. The extensive journey of rebuilding and recuperating from the widespread devastation caused by these natural disasters will extend over many years, yet the communities of Türkiye and Syria exhibit remarkable resilience and determination. Even as this story departs from the global spotlight, our work persists, and remains far from complete.