Catastrophic earthquake in Türkiye and Syria

Türkiye and Syria Earthquake

The Earthquakes on 6 February had a devastating impact on both Northwest Syria and Southeastern Türkiye.

World Vision’s response, and that of the wider humanitarian community, is vital in restoring essential services in sectors like WASH and education and helping people to recover from the trauma and destruction it caused.  

In Türkiye, the most affected provinces were Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Malatya, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Elazığ and Adana in Southern and Southeastern Türkiye. More than 50,000 people lost their lives, including 7,000 Syrian refugees. More than 100,000 people were injured. 9.1 million people were affected by the earthquake disaster, 3 million people were displaced, and 298,000 buildings were destroyed.  

Approximately half of the displaced people have returned to their homes. Those with relatives or opportunities settled in cities like Ankara, Istanbul, and Antalya, whilst tens of thousands remain in informal tented settlements or government-provided temporary housing such as the container camp in Hatay that World Vision helped to support, many needs remain. In informal settlements, key needs include access to adequate water supply and sanitation, social protection programmes, psychosocial support services to deal with trauma and information on available public services.  

In Northwest Syria, the Earthquake resulted in more than 4,500 deaths and 10,400 injuries. More than 10,600 buildings have been destroyed, including at least 1,000 primary and secondary schools. More than 850,000 people – 20 per cent of the population - had their homes damaged. 265,000 people lost their homes and have needed dignified shelters. Seventy health facilities were damaged.

Whilst 66,000 individuals live in established reception centres in the wake of the earthquake, these are due to close over the coming months, with displaced people expected to return to their original location and/or continue displacement into camps and/or setting up new informal ones.  

How is World Vision responding to the needs of those impacted by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria?

World Vision has effectively reached 2,448,485 participants through its Syria and Türkiye Earthquake Response, with 690,707 girls and 641,157 boys among them. The organisation operates using an area-based structure in which Area Managers oversee field operations for each geographical region.

For the Earthquake response, this includes Northwest Syria and Türkiye – the two areas most affected by the 6 February Earthquake. This area-based structure enables us to develop expertise in the context and oversee project implementation with a thorough understanding of the needs and context.

World Vision is currently implementing 15 projects in Northwest Syria as part of the STER response that covers these needs across Idleb, Afrin, Azaz and Aleppo. These projects are focused on the provision of health services, comprehensive WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) services, Multi-purpose cash assistance, rehabilitation of schools, supporting running costs of schools and school personnel, conducting back-to-learn campaigns, identification of individuals in need of specialized protection services and referrals, structured and non-structured psychosocial support, shelter rehabilitation, Cash for Work and various distributions of Non-Food Items (NFI). 

Despite the bleak circumstances, the resilience of the people and the tireless work of World Vision and its partners offer a beacon of hope. However, the need for international assistance and attention remains critical. As we observe the half-year anniversary of the earthquake, we implore individuals, businesses, governments, and international bodies to rally in support of the victims of this crisis, to help them rebuild and recover.

said Emmanuel Isch, Response Director for World Vision’s Syria Response.

World Vision has been working in the Middle East region for nearly 40 years. We’re dedicated to improving the lives of children, families, and the communities where they live through long-term sustainable development as well as responding to disasters — both natural and man-made.

We have been supporting families impacted by the conflict since 2011 through aid to children and families in Syria, Jordan, and Türkiye, all of which have suffered from the conflict and resulting humanitarian crisis. Since the Syrian refugee crisis began, we’ve helped more than 7.5 million children and their families in the region.