Attachments
SITUATION OVERVIEW
On 6 February 2023, Syria was struck by two earthquakes, one at a magnitude of 7.7 originating in Gaziantep (Turkey) at 04:17 and another at a 7.6 magnitude in Kharamanmaras (Turkey) at 13:24. Multiple aftershocks were reported following the earthquakes. According to the Syrian Arab Republic Red Crescent (SARC), damages were caused in the north, central and coastal parts of Syria, specifically in Aleppo, Lattakia, Tartous, Hama, and Idlib governorates. The first estimates indicated that more than six million people were affected, including two million severely affected by the earthquake. As of 12 February, the number of confirmed deaths in Syria stood at 1,414, with more than 2,349 injured.
Reports from the whole of Syria suggest a higher death and injury toll as many people were reported missing by their relatives. The earthquake hit amid a very harsh winter with some areas in the northern part of the country hitting sub-zero temperatures. At a time when people are facing huge electricity, fuel, and water shortages, around 293,000 people have fled their collapsed and damaged houses seeking shelter at emergency centres and host communities, while the number of displaced people remains unclear as some of the affected have moved into the homes of extended families or to rented houses.
In the context of this acute disaster, the Syrian crisis is today even more critical than ever, with a multitude of challenges that makes it one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies. A decade of protracted crisis and economic collapse has left more than 15.3 million people in need of some form of humanitarian assistance. SARC also suffered some losses and damage to their infrastructure. A warehouse in Latakia has completely collapsed and another eight SARC facilities were damaged. Another Primary Health Care Centre (PHC) in Hama was also affected and needed to be immediately evacuated, while some Mobile Health Units were unable to move.
EMERGENCY APPEAL REVISION
Since 7 February, when the initial International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Emergency Appeal (EA) was published, humanitarian needs have risen exponentially. Based on these revised needs estimates, this Federation-wide Emergency Appeal has been increased to a total funding ask of CHF 200 million, and its timeframe extended to 28 February 2025 to effectively and consistently respond to the ongoing, immediate, and anticipated needs on the ground.