Turkiye-Syria Earthquake Appeal

Two earthquakes of 7.8 and 7.5 magnitudes hit Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria affecting millions

On Monday 6th February, two enormous 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck the regions of South East Türkiye (Turkey) and North West Syria. Approximately 30 million people have been affected by the disaster in Turkiye and 10.9 million in Syria.

The first earthquake hit at 4.17am while many were asleep in their homes, tremors were felt as far as Cyprus, Egypt and Lebanon. Within 12 hours of the first earthquake and with rescue operations already underway, a second large earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 hit the region once more. The region has since experienced as many as 7,000 aftershocks, one as large as 6.5 magnitude only minutes later.

On 20th February, two more strong 6.4 and 5.8 earthquakes hit the region, just two weeks after the deadly earthquakes that have killed at least 51,000 people so far. Islamic Relief teams on the ground in southern Türkiye and northwest Syria report widespread panic and damage to buildings.

Türkiye-Syria Earthquake: More than 51,000 people have been confirmed dead

According to latest reports, a combined total of more than 51,000 people have already been confirmed dead across both Türkiye and Syria, and is continuing to rise as bodies are recovered from the rubble.

In war-torn North West Syria, a lack of infrastructure due to more than a decade of protracted conflict has left the affected population even more vulnerable. Millions of internally displaced Syrians are living in camps, and those hit hard by the crisis are entirely reliant on international aid to assist with this emergency. Communications are almost completely down, and health facilities are understaffed and under-resourced. The situation on the ground is dire.

Tens of thousands of people have been reported injured across Syria and Turkiye, with many more trapped in the rubble following the terrifying collapse of infrastructure and over 86,000 buildings. Ongoing rescue operations are taking place in a desperate bid to save lives.

Islamic Relief is on the ground in Turkiye and Syria

Islamic Relief teams are on the ground right now responding to the disaster in both Türkiye (Turkey) and Northern Syria. Alhamdulillah, with your generosity so far, we have been able to support 886, 186 individuals (100, 711 households). 

In Türkiye, our teams are present in Gaziantep (İslahiye, Nurdağı), Kahramanmaraş, Hatay (Samandağ, Altınözü), Kilis. We are providing food packs, vouchers, blankets and hygiene kits to enable those worst affected to meet their immediate needs. So far, we have provided 111, 860 people (27, 532 households) with vital aid.

In Syria, our teams are on the ground in  Aleppo (Daret Azza, Atareb, Afrin, Jenderse, Sharan), Idlib (Salqin, Dana, Maaret Tamsrin, Qourqeena, Harem, Sarmada, Bdama, Darkoush, Ariha, Jisr Alshughour, Janudiyeh, Ehsem, Armanaz, Burdaqly). We are supporting hospitals with urgent medical supplies, as well as providing mattresses, blankets, bread packs, heating material and critical non-food items including tents and sheets to survivors in affected areas. So far, we have reached 774, 326 individuals (73, 179 households).

Our teams are continuing to assess the situation as it evolves and making preparations to scale up humanitarian support for those hit hard by the crisis.

Time is of the essence at this critical stage, we need your support to reach and save as many lives as possible. Please donate generously to our Türkiye Syria Earthquake Appeal and help save precious lives now.