One year after the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the population’s needs remain considerable.

08 February 2024

It is now a year since the border region between Turkey and Syria was hit by two violent earthquakes. With more than 55,000 deaths and 17 million people affected, the impact of this disaster is far-reaching.

In an emergency, the Luxembourg Red Cross raised 1 million euros. In close partnership with the German Red Cross, this funding enabled the provision of tents, blankets and winter equipment in Turkey, as well as medical supplies and preventive equipment in Syria.

One year on, while Turkey is on the road to recovery, Syria still faces many challenges, exacerbated by more than a decade of conflict.

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The situation in Turkey

In Turkey, more than 9.1 million people are still suffering the consequences of the earthquakes and will need support for many months to come. The Turkish Red Crescent is carrying out a wide range of actions:

  • Food: 426 million hot meals and drinking water have been provided in the affected areas.
  • Accommodation: 2.7 million people are sleeping in tents equipped with blankets and heating systems.
  • Hygiene and water: 200,000 hygiene kits and sanitary containers have been made available.
  • Health: more than 207,000 people have received health care or psychosocial support, provided by mobile units. Blood collection campaigns are also regularly organised.
  • Financial support: 600,000 vulnerable people received aid in the form of cash to help them meet their needs, in addition to 140,000 vouchers distributed.
séisme Turquie

The situation in Syria

In Syria, 8 million people were affected by the earthquakes at a time when the country was already weakened by twelve years of conflict. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent quickly mobilised 4,000 staff and volunteers on the spot:

Video from the German Red Cross
  • Food: more than 124,000 food rations have been distributed to affected populations.
  • Shelter: more than 200 shelters and tens of thousands of blankets, mattresses and tarpaulins have been distributed.
  • Hygiene and water: in response to the spread of infectious diseases, the teams on the ground provided adequate sanitation facilities and facilitated access to clean, safe water. They also distributed essential hygiene items.
  • Health: more than a million people received medicines and were treated by clinics and mobile health units.
  • Local services: 185,000 services such as mental health first aid, information on earthquake management and legal advice were provided.

However, despite all these efforts, there is still a long way to go. The people affected have not just lost their homes or loved ones, but “their whole lives”. Their jobs, offices, shops, farms and so many other things that will take years to rebuild from scratch.

This is why the long-term support of the Red Cross is already involved in the reconstruction and the national societies on the site are working every day to help the victims.

You can continue to support Red Cross operations on the spot by making a donation by bank transfer (IBAN LU52 1111 0000 1111 0000 ) or here

 Thanks for your solidarity!

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