Millions affected by devastating earthquakes. Donate Now.
Millions affected by devastating earthquakes. Donate Now.
Massive earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria
Two massive earthquakes struck Türkiye and northern Syria on 6 February, affecting more than 13 million people. Tragically, more than 50,000 lost their lives, 126,000 were injured, and entire towns were destroyed — displacing 2.7 million people and leaving immense humanitarian need that will continue for years to come.
For those in Syria, this tragedy comes on top of 12 years of civil war, and an already unimaginable level of suffering.
Please give generously to our Global Emergency Fund so that we can immediately provide lifesaving aid and services when emergencies like this strike.
Emergency in Türkiye & Syria
“Women and children have not been spared,” says Sherine Ibrahim, CARE Türkiye Country Director. “To have an earthquake impact their tents, their lives, their nutritional status, and their mental health is devastating.”
Tents, mattresses, blankets, food, drinking water, baby items and warm clothing are CARE’s immediate priorities – and we need your financial support to procure them from suppliers in the affected regions and get them delivered as quickly as possible.
If these needs remain unmet, we may see a further escalation of livelihoods, health and mental health crisis across the earthquake affected region.
“We’re in dire need of immediate support,” says Sherine Ibrahim. “In the form of financial assistance to make sure that those who are out in the cold are able to find warmth, those who are hungry are able to eat, and children who are already suffering from malnutrition are able to survive.”
CARE Turkiye Deputy Country Director on ABC News Breakfast
What is CARE doing?
CARE and our partners responded to the emergency immediately, delivering lifesaving supplies to more than 610,000 people, including tents, mattresses, blankets, food, drinking water, health services, baby items and warm clothing. Moving forward, we will continue to ensure support is provided to help people rebuild their lives.
CARE has worked in Türkiye (previously known as Turkey) since 1959 and in Syria since 2013. Today, Türkiye hosts the highest number of refugees globally, with millions of Syrians fleeing to Türkiye since the beginning of the conflict in 2011. The Turkish Government has requested international assistance and our colleagues in the region are coordinating with authorities in the impacted countries to deliver essential supplies to those affected.
What is the situation in Türkiye and Syria?
An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Ritcher scale struck Southeast Türkiye and parts of northern Syria in the early hours of 6 February 2023. A second earthquake of magnitude 7.5 was then recorded in the afternoon, 100km to the north of the epicentre of the first earthquake, impacting areas in central Türkiye and beyond. More strong aftershocks followed.
More than 50,000 lives were lost and millions more lost their homes and their livelihoods. Most of the damage has occurred in southern Türkiye, home to most of Syria’s refugees, and in Northwest Syria – especially Aleppo and Idlib, where millions who have fled the country’s conflict now live.
What is CARE doing to help Türkiye and Syria?
CARE and our partners have reached more than 610,000 people with lifesaving assistance. Prior to the earthquakes, CARE and our local partners were already helping refugees and displaced people in both countries battle the harsh winter conditions – delivering blankets, food, drinking water, mattresses, tents, and other essential items. Using these existing systems, we were able to immediately collaborate with our partners to:
- provide food and livelihood assistance to 189,000 people
- deliver clean water and hygiene kits to 192,000 people
- distribute tents and shelter materials to 163,000 people
- support the provision of health services to 12,000 people.
How long has CARE been working in Türkiye and Syria?
CARE has been operating in Syria since 2013 and in Türkiye (previously known as Turkey) since 1959. We have relationships with partners in both countries who have been best placed to respond to supply shelter, food, water and other vital supplies.
Today, Türkiye hosts the highest number of refugees globally, with millions of Syrians fleeing to Türkiye since the beginning of the conflict in 2011. The Turkish Government requested international assistance and our colleagues in the region have been coordinating with authorities in the impacted countries to deliver essential supplies to those affected.
Will my donation help the people affected by the Türkiye & Syria earthquake crisis?
Yes, funds raised through this Emergency Appeal will support those affected by the crisis in Türkiye and Syria. Your donation will help CARE and our partners provide immediate lifesaving support to those affected.
Can I donate physical items to help those in need?
It’s natural to want to donate things like clothes, blankets, toys for kids or other helpful things that you may have. And whilst that’s extremely kind and thoughtful, there are a number of reasons why CARE Australia is unable to accept donations of physical goods or items. Transportation and shipment of goods is a costly exercise at the financial burden of CARE Australia.
The best way to help is through financial contributions, which can be used immediately to purchase critically-needed items locally – this helps people faster and also supports local businesses and suppliers.
Donate by phone
Call 1800 020 046 toll free and pay by credit card.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
CARE will use donations to our Global Emergency Fund to provide emergency relief and services to those who need them most. This will help the world’s most vulnerable people prepare for, and recover from, emergencies and disasters.
Photo by Muhammed Furkan Arslanoglu/Depo Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM/AAP.
Please note: As the UN accepted Turkey’s request to change its official English name to the Turkish spelling, the CARE office in Türkiye has also shifted its official title to CARE Türkiye instead of CARE Turkey.
