THE SITUATION
Devastating earthquakes have struck Türkiye and Syria. Thousands of people have been killed and injured.
The powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Southeast Türkiye and parts of northern Syria and was also felt as far as Lebanon, Jordan, and Cyprus. Several strong aftershocks were felt across the region and continue to cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Another major earthquake struck in central Türkiye, 100 km north of the epicenter of the first earthquake, and was followed by more strong aftershocks.
The death toll continues to rise. The aftershocks are as powerful as the earthquakes, which were some of the strongest to hit these areas in modern history. Buildings and homes are unsafe and many people are stranded outside in the freezing temperatures.
More than 60 per cent of the 4.6 million population of Northwest Syria are already displaced from their homes and are now facing renewed displacement due to the earthquake.
CARE Canada is a proud member of the Humanitarian Coalition, which mobilizes Canadians to respond generously during future humanitarian crises, and in partnering with the Government of Canada to deliver effective humanitarian assistance. Together we can save more lives.
CARE'S RESPONSE
CARE Türkiye is preparing to respond by prioritizing the delivery of essential items.
CARE Türkiye plans to collaborate with the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency in Turkey [AFAD] to deliver essential supplies to people in makeshift shelters across Türkiye where people have sought refuge, including schools, mosques, and other temporary shelters.
CARE Türkiye will also continue its existing cross-border operations to respond to the worst affected areas in Northwest Syria, where on-the-ground teams and partners are trying to deliver blankets, food, mattresses, tents, and other non-food items to people in need amid harsh weather conditions.
CARE Türkiye is also currently assessing the scale and severity of the damage caused to civilian infrastructure and is establishing the safety and security of staff and their families as well as that of partner organizations based in Gaziantep, Türkiye and Northwest Syria.
