Red Cross, Red Crescent Teams Responding to Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, 1 March 2023

Millions of people in southeast Türkiye and bordering Syria are affected after two earthquakes (magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6) struck February 6, followed by several additional powerful quakes, including one earlier this week.

The quakes caused severe disruptions to sanitation and access to safe water. The elevated risk of infectious diseases, complications from non-communicable diseases and disruptions to primary health care services remain a threat.

For survivors, the journey to recovery has just begun. Many continue to leave areas affected by the earthquake to seek shelter with loved ones, in neighboring cities or in emergency shelters.

GLOBAL RESPONSE More than 9,000 volunteers and staff from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and Turkish Red Crescent have been on the ground helping since the first two earthquakes struck. The two Red Cross Societies are at the very heart of this response. Many have been affected themselves, having lost their homes and loved ones, yet continue to respond around the clock to provide lifesaving care each day. Learn more in this video.

To support the earthquake response, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is bringing in support from around the world. Dozens of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have offered technical support and almost 60 National Societies have started domestic fundraising campaigns.

For its part, the American Red Cross is accepting funds to support the global Red Cross Red Crescent response to help people affected by the Türkiye earthquake. In addition, the American Red Cross has contributed two disaster responders to the relief efforts, specializing in communications and information management while continuing to assess and coordinate with the global Red Cross to support ongoing needs.

Thus far, the response has included:

• More than 80 million hot meals distributed to people affected by the earthquake.

• Cash vouchers distributed to around 140,000 households to meet urgent needs.

• More than 54,000 tents and 107,000 blankets have been distributed in the hardest-hit areas.

• Six mobile clinics are supporting rural communities and collective shelter sites with health services.

• Tens of thousands of relief items, including hygiene kits, winterized shelters, blankets, and other household goods have also been provided to affected people.

IN TURKIYE, efforts are focused on reaching survivors where they are to deliver essential aid.
More than 5,000 Turkish Red Crescent staff and volunteers continue to provide food, clean water, and essential hygiene and relief supplies.

Together with the Ministry of Health, the Turkish Red Crescent is now providing health care in rural areas and in temporary shelters to help improve access to services, with IFRC’s technical support. Seven units are already running and five more are coming. The Turkish Red Crescent also operates the largest camp with toilets and bathing facilities available. Where markets are functioning, cash assistance as humanitarian aid helps empower those receiving it by giving them the freedom to purchase what they need most.

IN SYRIA, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) continues to be the main humanitarian group and its earthquake response operation is covering a wide swath of the impacted area.

4,000 Syrian Arab Red Crescent staff and volunteers have provided more than 2.7 million humanitarian services. Clinics and mobile health units have provided healthcare and medicines for over 54,000 people. More than 1.2 million relief items have been distributed providing support for over 1.8 million people, including shelter, blankets, mattresses, winter clothes, hygiene supplies, and food and agriculture supplies.

Many of those affected by the earthquake were already living in vulnerable conditions before the earthquake in Syria. Red Crescent aid is arriving in Northern Syria but access in the Idlib is still challenging. SARC is currently working around the clock in Hama, Aleppo, Tartous and Lattakia.

Providing water, sanitation, and health services to prevent outbreaks is essential in northern Syria. Prior to the earthquake, Syria was facing a cholera outbreak with its whole healthcare system already weakened. The IFRC network had been working tirelessly to help over 1.5 million people at risk since last year. Palestine Red Crescent teams are working in the Palestinian Refugee camps in Syria.

IMMENSE NEED The enormity of this response requires a team effort. No one agency can manage the needs alone. Humanitarian needs are vast among the hundreds of thousands of people who were facing hardship before the earthquake struck – including those who have fled conflict in Syria and Türkiye.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Turkish Red Crescent will continue to support people fleeing conflict alongside numerous partners and officials on the ground. Responders in Damascus are working to locate and ship goods to people in affected areas in the northern areas of Syria. Across the country, conditions are especially dire. A 12-year conflict, worsening economic crisis, scarce infrastructure and access challenges combined with a devastating earthquake have heightened humanitarian needs. Fuel and equipment are also in low supply.

HOW TO FIND A MISSING LOVED ONE Those unable to get in touch with U.S. citizens missing in Türkiye or Syria should contact the U.S .Department of State Overseas Citizens Services Office online or at 1-888-407-4747. More information can be found here.

If you are searching for loved ones in Türkiye please contact the Turkish Red Crescent at Tracing@kizilay.org.tr. If you are searching for loved ones in Syria, please contact these phone numbers: Aleppo: +963 (0)950000822; Hama: +983 (0)9950000824; Latakia: +963(0)950000827; Tartus: +963 (0)950000928.

CAN I VOLUNTEER OR DONATE IN-KIND GOODS? The American Red Cross sends highly specialized and experienced professionals with technical skills and expertise abroad only after the Red Cross or Red Crescent team requests assistance. Those not already on the Red Cross’s international disaster roster will not have the opportunity to deploy at this time. We encourage you to connect with your local Red Cross chapter for future opportunities or to visit redcross.org/volunteer for more information.

While we are grateful for the outpouring of support, it’s important to know that neither the American Red Cross, nor our global Red Cross partners, are accepting the donation of in-kind goods such as food, clothing, blankets or toys at this time. These items can be difficult to manage on the ground and divert resources from our mission.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Increased global support and solidarity to deliver humanitarian assistance are essential in the weeks and months of recovery ahead. You can donate to support the earthquake response through the American Red Cross. For those interested in helping people affected by the Türkiye (Turkey) earthquake, we ask that they write “Türkiye (Turkey) earthquake” in the memo line of a check and mail it with a completed donation form to the address on the form or to their local Red Cross chapter. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

As the scale of the earthquake’s devastation in Syria and Türkiye becomes clearer, the IFRC is increasing its Emergency Appeals to 650 million Swiss francs to respond to rising humanitarian needs in both countries. Donate directly to @IFRC here.

About the American Red Cross:

*The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. *For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.