Attachments
SITUATION OVERVIEW
An earthquake of 7.7 magnitude with the epicenter in the south-east of the country, struck Türkiye on 6 February 2023 at 04:17 AM, followed by 3,858 aftershocks. Another earthquake of 7.6 magnitude occurred at 13:24 PM. The earthquakes came at the peak of winter and are considered the largest earthquakes for centuries in the region. For the affected provinces, which are home to over 1.74 million refugees and migrants, the Government of Türkiye has ramped up the response and has requested international assistance to support its emergency responders amid the harsh winter conditions.
As of 15 February, at least 35,400 deaths and 105,500 injured were confirmed by the government in the Provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa. More than 196,000 citizens have been evacuated from affected areas by 14 February, yet many are injured or missing as reported by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). The number of deceased is expected to continue to increase in coming days as search and rescue operations phase out; with response and recovery interventions picking pace.
IOM's mappings and situational analyses suggest that at least 1.3 million people have been severely affected and displaced. Their immediate needs include shelter, heating, non-food items (NFIs), food items and health assistance. Prior to the earthquakes, the region hosted more than 1,5 million Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTP), in addition to people under international protection, labour migrants, foreign students and migrants in irregular situations. The impact of the disaster on the migrant population is yet to be assessed. Field observations confirm, however, that affected populations are exposed to compounded risks, including family separation, loss/ damage of civil status and documentation, exploitation and abuse including child protection risks and trafficking in persons and psychosocial stress and trauma.
IOM’s Flash Appeal is fully aligned with the Inter-Agency Flash Appeal for Türkiye. The proposed activities complement those in the Regional Refugee Response Plan (2023), and capture the additional needs following the devastating earthquakes. The figures in this appeal will be revised in the days ahead in further coordination with the government and partners.