In the aftermath of the 7,7 and 7,6 magnitude earthquakes, epicenter of which were Türkiye’s Kahramanmaraş province, and their aftershocks faced on 6 February 2023, an unprecedented destruction and loss of lives faced in Southern Türkiye and Northwest Syria. Despite the constant increase, the current death toll is reported as 18,000 in Turkey and 4,000 in Syria as of 10 February 2023.
In addition to the support of international community; with its centralized administration, local governments and NGOs, Türkiye offers a lifeline for the victims of the earthquake, which affected around 14 million people. However, the destructiveness of the earthquake, which simultaneously hit 10 provinces of the country, requires higher capacity utilization making the search and rescue operations difficult. Regarding Syria, the disaster’s consequences are being felt on a broad area and quite a high population in the country.
International community took steps from the very beginning of the disaster. As UCLG-MEWA, we are calling for the support via the DONATION CAMPAIGN by Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) of Turkish Ministry of Interior and hope that these solidarity efforts continue in a strengthened way. In addition to the donation campaign mentioned, our members and partners who want to contribute in a way, can get contact with Türkiye’s diplomatic missions. To bind up the wounds of the earthquake in Syria, you can also consult the Syrian diplomatic missions and related UN institutions in your country.
Wishing Allah’s mercy upon all who lost their lives by earthquake and hoping all the wounded get well soon. We express our condolences to Turkish and Syrian local governments, which were seriously affected by the earthquake.