Attachments
Background:
On 6 February 2023, two devastating earthquakes of magnitudes 7.7 and 7.6 struck Southeastern Türkiye and Northwest Syria, resulting in over 53,000 deaths, 127,000 injuries, and the displacement of 3.5 million people. The disaster caused an estimated USD 103.6 billion in losses—equivalent to 9 per cent of Türkiye’s GDP—while exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in both Türkiye and Syria.
In response, the Republic of Korea National Red Cross (KNRC) mobilized KRW 40.6 billion (USD 31.2 million) in funds and relief supplies, supported by the compassion and solidarity of more than 307,500 Korean individuals and corporations. KNRC launched immediate emergency relief activities through its International Emergency Response Fund (IERF) and deployed assessment teams, while also coordinating with the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC), Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), IFRC, and ICRC.
Since April 2023, KNRC has maintained a permanent delegation in Türkiye under the IFRC Framework Integration Agreement, enabling timely allocation of resources, greater accountability, and strengthened coordination with Movement partners. In Türkiye, operations prioritized shelter, food security, livelihoods, fleet capacity, community services, and blood services, reaching more than 601,000 people with over one million meals, 136,000+ relief items, and 1,000 container houses. In Syria, where humanitarian needs are compounded by 13 years of conflict, KNRC-supported interventions included WASH, health services, early recovery projects, and capacity-building for local responders, reaching more than 1 million people.
This report highlights KNRC’s sustained contribution to addressing immediate humanitarian needs while investing in longer-term resilience, social cohesion, and sustainable recovery in the earthquake-affected regions of Türkiye and Syria.
Executive Summary:
The Republic of Korea National Red Cross (KNRC) has been a key humanitarian partner in the Türkiye-Syria earthquake response since February 2023. With a fundraising campaign that mobilized USD 31.2 million in cash and in-kind contributions, KNRC implemented a wide range of projects in cooperation with TRC, SARC, and IFRC.
Key achievements in Türkiye include:
- Over 601,000 individuals reached through multi-sectoral interventions.
- 1,053,302 meals served, 136,810 relief items distributed, and 26,689 heaters provided.
- Construction of 1,000 container houses in the Türkiye-Korea Friendship Village in Pazarcık.
- Provision of 45 emergency vehicles to TRC branches.
- Establishment of 8 temporary Community Service Centers in 6 provinces, providing MHPSS and child-friendly spaces.
- Support to 428 micro- and small-sized enterprises (MSEs) through conditional cash assistance.
In Syria, KNRC’s assistance has:
- Reached more than 1 million individuals.
- Delivered 140,000 relief items, 34 medical equipment units, and 39 generators.
- Supported 18 schools and distributed over 8,000 hygiene sets.
- Enhanced SARC’s capacity with IT equipment and logistics support.
Beyond immediate relief, KNRC prioritizes sustainability and the humanitarian-development nexus. This includes reconstruction of the İskenderun Blood Donation Center in Hatay, investment in multipurpose community centers, and continued support for SARC’s digital transformation.
KNRC remains committed to bridging immediate disaster relief with recovery and development programming, ensuring resilience, social inclusion, and long-term cooperation with Movement partners and local actors.
Note:
Some of the information in the report may be subject to change depending on exchange rates or information sources.