The situation
On February 6 2023, Türkiye and Syria were hit with the worst earthquake the region has known since 1939.
Our colleagues were already working in Türkiye and Syria when the earthquake struck. Within the first 24 hours of this crisis, our teams had set up our mobile clinics, started supporting hospitals and the camps where people are now living, alongside coordinating deliveries of tents, food, and medicine. We are there for the long term, to prevent both further devastation and the local healthcare system becoming overwhelmed. Many areas are already plagued by cholera outbreaks and poor general health caused by a lack of nutritious food.
Many members of our teams living in the region were affected. Some have loved ones, some were made homeless along with their families. Our office in Antakya, Türkiye was demolished in the earthquake. Our offices in Afrin, Idlib, Syria were also damaged.
Our Work
Emergency shelter is still a priority as so many homes were destroyed – both in the cities and the countryside. The need for shelter, food, water, sanitation, hygiene products, health care and basic relief items is very high. While the need for safe spaces for women and children, contraception, and drinking water continues to increase.
In Hatay, three Mobile Medical Unit Teams have been supporting people in the region where 12 hospitals were damaged and unable to deliver care. Our teams are providing Primary Health Care, Mental Health Support, Protection services, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services.
In Syria, our teams run eight Primary Health Care Clinics, one Mobile Medical Unit, and two Emergency Mobile Medical Teams. The Emergency Mobile Medical Response Team has administered first aid and stabilised patients, while coordinating with hospitals and other medical facilities to ensure that patients receive the appropriate medical care. The team also provides Mental Health support to victims experiencing trauma or shock.
Our two teams in Afrin and Idleb continue to provide long term medical assistance to people affected by the earthquake in camps, through the work of three doctors, a midwife, four nurses, a paediatrician, a psychologist, and multiple case workers.
