Türkiye: 2023 Earthquakes Situation Report No. 3, As of 21 February 2023

This report is produced by the OCHA/UNDAC mission in Türkiye in collaboration with humanitarian partners and covers the humanitarian situation and earthquake response in Türkiye. Separate updates are issued for Syria.

SITUATION UPDATE

At 20:04 on 20 February 2023, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Hatay in southern Türkiye which was followed by a 5.8 magnitude aftershock three minutes later and 90 subsequent aftershocks. These earthquakes were felt throughout the region causing renewed fear for those who survived the devasting earthquakes on February 6, 2023, which killed 42,310 people in the country as of 21 February 2023 according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). After the latest earthquakes on February 20, AFAD reported that six people lost their lives, at least 294 people were injured, 18 of which severely, and ten buildings collapsed.

United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Teams continue to support the coordination of search and rescue operations and UNDAC teams remain active in Malatya, Kahramanmaras, Adiyaman, Gaziantep, and Hatay. At the time of the earthquakes on 20 February there were 25 international USAR teams remaining in country with 18 present in Hatay including 921 personnel according to AFAD. Of the 18 international USAR teams in Hatay, three (3) immediately deployed to the affected areas. An UNDAC liaison team which is located inside the AFAD crisis center coordinated with AFAD in real-time to dispatch these USAR teams immediately. Twenty-six (26) Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) remain active in the affected area and supported the medical response to newly injured victims of the latest earthquake.

Joint multi-sector rapid needs assessments are ongoing in the affected locations. The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) approved $10.2m on 16 February to support life-saving multi-sectoral assistance implemented by UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, UNDP and NGO partners. Since the February 6 earthquakes, emergency response efforts have been ongoing in support of the humanitarian response led by the Government of Türkiye providing critical supplies, including emergency shelter materials, blankets, hygiene kits, medical supplies, and kitchen items, to earthquake-affected people.