Türkiye/Syria Earthquake Response – Emergency Assistance – UNICEF 2023

February 2023 – The humanitarian situation in Türkiye and Syria deteriorated significantly following powerful earthquakes that struck south-east Türkiye and north-west Syria on February 6 and February 20. The earthquakes and aftershocks resulted in widespread damages and high casualties in both countries. The UN estimates that at least 9.1 million people in Turkey and 8.8 million people in Syria have been affected by the earthquake with the majority anticipated to need some form of humanitarian assistance in the coming months. In Türkiye a state of emergency was declared in 10 provinces as people were left without access to shelter food water heaters and medical care in harsh winter conditions. In Syria the response is further complicated by pre-existing large scale humanitarian needs severe access constraints for humanitarian aid and weak infrastructure from over a decade of armed conflict. In collaboration with the Government of Türkiye UNICEF Türkiye co-leads the WASH sector earthquake response. With GAC’s support UNICEF will reach 1 500 000 earthquake-affected people with water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance non-food items child protection emergency health and nutrition operations and psychosocial support. Project activities include: (1) deploying WASH mobile teams to highly affected areas; (2) distributing medical and water hygiene and sanitation kits; (3) distributing non-food items; (4) providing access to protection services for earthquake-affected children; and (5) providing psychosocial services to affected individuals.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased ability of affected women men girls and boys to obtain basic food non-food WASH and health items; (2) increased equitable access for women men girls and boys to WASH health and psychosocial services; and (3) increased access to protection services for affected girls and boys. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.