One year after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria on 6 February 2023, local Caritas organisations, supported by the entire Caritas network, continue to support the local population in dire need.
In Turkey, the National Caritas, together with Caritas Anatolia, supported by Caritas Istanbul and Izmir, have been active from the first moments, despite the damage to their facilities. The emergency response initially focused on the distribution of food aid and hygiene kits, and the provision of shelter. This then extended to improving the living conditions of displaced families and ensuring that temporary accommodation had necessary equipment, such as fans, refrigerators, wood stoves and electric heaters.
By December 2023, Caritas Turkey had distributed over 6,280 meals, 4,422 food parcels, and 5,201 hygiene items. 121 families received school materials, and 221 families received subsidies to pay rent. Caritas also provided the affected populations with 1798 fans, 9,444 wood and coal packages and 336 heating devices. Besides, the procurement phase of 73 prefabricated containers has been completed and the activities for shelter support are in progress. The precarious humanitarian situation has also been exacerbated by the floods that have hit the country in recent months and have further affected the population displaced by the earthquake.
By December 2023, Caritas Turkey had distributed over 6,280 meals, 4,422 food parcels, and 5,201 hygiene items. 121 families received school materials, and 221 families received subsidies to pay rent.
“It is important that silence does not fall on this tragedy and the consequences still suffered by the population. We are still not out of the emergency, unfortunately. The number of displaced people is high, and rebuilding will take time and the help of everyone,” said the President of Caritas Turkey and Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia, Monsignor Paolo Bizzeti.
The Syrian population affected by the earthquake of February 2023 also continue to face challenging conditions. Even before the earthquake, more than 15 million people needed humanitarian aid due to the conflict that has been going on in the country for almost 13 years.
Caritas Syria has been active since the first hours of the emergency, distributing aid through 71 centres in the areas most affected by the earthquake, including Aleppo and Latakia. 8,486 food parcels, 8,736 hygiene kits, 2,950 drinking water packages, 750 mattresses, and 10,133 blankets were offered. In Aleppo, Hama, and some centres along the Syrian littoral, Caritas is contributing to rehabilitating and reconstructing 20 schools and 330 shelters. 4248 families have received monthly vouchers to pay rent or purchase food and basic necessities. Alongside medical assistance, Caritas also provides more than 500 medical surgeries.
Caritas Syria has distributed aid through 71 centres in the areas most affected by the earthquake, including Aleppo and Latakia. They offered 8,486 food parcels, 8,736 hygiene kits, 2,950 drinking water packages, 750 mattresses, and 10,133 blankets..
“Our staff and volunteers serve and accompany the many families who have been affected by the earthquake and the serious consequences that this and 13 years of war have had and continue to have on the Syrian people,” said Riad Sargi, Executive Director of Caritas Syria. “Despite the serious humanitarian and economic situation, mainly due to sanctions and the depreciation of the local currency, we carry on with our mission, thanks to the continued support of the Caritas Confederation.”
Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, Alistair Dutton.
Speaking from Aleppo to mark the anniversary of the earthquake, thirteen years of war in Syria, and now four months of devastating bombardment and attacks in Gaza, which now threaten regional conflict, the Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, Alistair Dutton, praised the work of Caritas Syria and Turkey, and promised the Confederation’s continued support. Caritas Internationalis’ will maintain its commitment to keeping international attention on the plight of the earthquake-affected populations. “A year later, unfortunately, we no longer talk about the situation in the areas affected by the earthquake. The long-term consequences that the conflict in Gaza may have in the Middle East region, including Syria, are overlooked and underestimated. We are proud and grateful for the incredible work carried out by Caritas Syria and Caritas Turkey,” he said.
You can help earthquake-affected people in Syria and Turkey by clicking here.