Türkiye/Syria: Earthquakes - Feb 2023

On 6 February, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye at 4:17 a.m. This is Türkiye's most powerful earthquake recorded since 1939. [...] The Government of Türkiye has since issued a Level 4 alarm, calling for international assistance. The earthquake also heavily impacted north-west Syria, a region where 4.1 million people depend on humanitarian assistance today [...] At this time, Syrian communities are simultaneously hit with an on-going cholera outbreak and harsh winter events including heavy rain and snow over the weekend. The humanitarian response is largely overstretched with a funding gap of 48 per cent identified for the last quarter of 2022 (US$371.1 is required out of 802.1 million). (OCHA, 6 Feb 2023)

UN and partners are preparing the first cross-border aid convoy to north-west Syria since a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye on 6 February. The cross-border operation was temporarily disrupted as the road connecting Gaziantep to the UN Transshipment Hub in Hatay was impaired. As of 8 February, two alternative routes have been identified to reach the Hub following feasibility assessments, from Gaziantep via Kilis-Kirikhan and from Mersin via Adana-Kirikhan [...] The emergency response to the earthquake continues on its third day. Death tolls in Türkiye and north-west Syria are climbing by the hour, reaching more than 11,000 people as of 8 February – a 450 per cent increase since the reported figure in the first OCHA Flash Update. At least 648 aftershocks have been reported. (OCHA, 8 Feb 2023)

More than 4,400 deaths and 8,100 injuries have been reported in north-west Syria, as of 15 February, since an earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck Türkiye on 6 February. As of 15 February, more than 9,000 buildings have been completely or partially destroyed in north-west Syria, rendering at least 11,000 people homeless. [...] As of 16 February, a total of 142 trucks loaded with aid provided by six UN agencies have so far crossed to north-west Syria since the earthquakes. On 16 February, 22 trucks carrying aid by WFP and UNHCR crossed through Bab Al-Hawa while two additional trucks carrying tents provided by UNHCR crossed Bab Al-Salam. (OCHA, 17 Feb 2023)

The UN and humanitarian partners launched a Flash Appeal calling for $397.6 million of emergency assistance to provide relief to 4.9 million people in most acute need following the earthquakes. The United Nations Secretary General welcomed the opening of the additional two crossing points of Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ee from Türkiye to north-west Syria for an initial period of three months to allow for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid. (OCHA, 15 Feb 2023)

In Türkiye, over 36,100 people were killed and tens of thousands more were injured due to the earthquakes, while 216,347 people from affected areas have been relocated to other provinces, according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) on 16 February. [...] Access to and within earthquake-affected areas has improved over the past week. The road constraints impeding access between the main populated areas in the affected areas have been resolved, and roads connecting Adana, Gaziantep, Hatay, Adiyaman and Malatya are passable again. In some parts of Malatya, some roads remain accessible only with 4x4 vehicles. While Adana remains the main entry point for international humanitarian cargo coming by air, Gaziantep is also open to passenger flights and Hatay and Sanliurfa airports resumed operations on 13 February. (OCHA, 16 Feb 2023)

As of 15 February, the rapid structural assessment was undertaken in Aleppo in 4,159 buildings and classified 169 buildings as ‘high risk of collapse’ and 644 as ‘medium risk of collapse.’ UNMAS is marking the buildings categorized as high risk of collapse with the aim to dissuade people from returning to them. In Lattakia, a total of 1.3 million people are directly or indirectly affected by the earthquake. Approximately 34,400 families are displaced and currently either being hosted in temporary shelters, including governmental buildings, or staying with relatives with reportedly dire humanitarian needs. There are currently 29 designated shelters and the number is expected to increase in the coming days/weeks. In Tartous, a total of 0.9 million people are directly or indirectly affected by the earthquake. There are two designated shelters; the number is expected to increase in the coming days/weeks. (OCHA, 16 Feb 2023)

As of 18 February, 40,642 people were killed and more than 108,000 were injured due to the earthquakes in Turkey, while over 430,000 people from affected areas have been relocated to other provinces, according to AFAD. [...] As of 19 February 2023, AFAD reports that 65 United Nations Classified and other International Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams are active on the ground. [...] The teams are working in the provinces of Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Adiyaman, Gaziantep, and Hatay. A total of 191 international teams concluded search and rescue operations and have demobilized. (OCHA, 19 Feb 2023)

The local authorities in badly hit Aleppo [..] continue to provide immediate support to those displaced to collective shelters (it is estimated that there are still some 200 such shelters in Aleppo although the number changes daily). [...] With the search and rescue phase of the response nearly over, (humanitarian) partners are focused on assisting people in collective shelters and, in this regard, a minimum package of assistance has been developed and is being refined. [...] In Lattakia, partners met with the Government-led Operations Room, where local authorities reported that 103 buildings had collapsed, 300 buildings are at risk of collapsing (people have been evacuated from them) and 172,000 people are displaced. Most of these are staying with host communities although the authorities have made just 29 shelters available leading to overcrowding. (OCHA, 18 Feb 2023)

At 20:04 on 20 February 2023, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Hatay in southern Türkiye which was followed by a 5.8 magnitude aftershock three minutes later and 90 subsequent aftershocks. These earthquakes were felt throughout the region, causing renewed fear for those who survived the devastating earthquakes on February 6, 2023, which killed 42,310 people in the country as of 21 February 2023 according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). After the latest earthquakes on February 20, AFAD reported that six people lost their lives, at least 294 people were injured, 18 of which severely, and ten buildings collapsed. (OCHA, 21 Feb 2023)

The UN and humanitarian partners are scaling up their cross-border operation which has served as lifeline to millions of people in north-west Syria since 2014. As of 27 February, over 420 trucks loaded with aid provided by six UN agencies have crossed from Türkiye to north-west Syria using three border-crossings: Bab Al-Hawa, Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra’ee. The UN has so far completed 17 cross-border missions to north-west Syria since the first interagency visit to Idleb on 14 February. [...] At least 3 million people affected by the earthquakes are in the Idleb province. More than 4,500 deaths and more than 8,700 injuries due to the earthquakes have been reported in north-west Syria, as of 26 February, according to the Health Cluster. The districts with the highest number of deaths and injuries as of 25 February remain Harim, followed by Afrin and Jisr-Ash-Shugur. As of 26 February, more than 1,700 buildings have been completely destroyed and more than 8,600 buildings have been partially destroyed. Some 60 per cent of partially destroyed buildings were reported in Harim in the Idleb Governorate and Afrin in the Aleppo Governorate. (OCHA, 28 Feb 2023)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on 6 March that the death toll from the deadly earthquakes has risen to 46,104. He said the number of collapsed and heavily damaged buildings in 11 provinces in the earthquake zone reached 230 thousand. The President added that currently 3 million 320 thousand people were evacuated from the earthquake zone and went to other provinces, while 800 thousand people in the region took shelter in their villages. [...] On 2 March, Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported that the total number of people who were given shelter in the region affected by the earthquake is 1,593,808. In other provinces, a total of 329,960 people affected by the disaster are provided with accommodation services, bringing the total number of people provided with shelter and accommodation to more than 1.9 million. (OCHA, 09 Mar 2023)

One month after the 6 February earthquake, the humanitarian situation in the affected areas across Syria remains dire despite a scale-up in humanitarian response. Prior to the earthquake, more than 15 million people were estimated to need humanitarian assistance across the country. An estimated 8.8 million people have now been affected by the earthquake. [...] The earthquake caused an estimated US$5.1 billion in direct physical damages in Syria, according to a World Bank report, with nearly half of the damages caused to residential buildings. 3.7 million children in earthquake-affected areas across Syria are facing potentially catastrophic threats, including contagious, contact-transmitted and waterborne diseases and lack of access to basic services. (OCHA, 09 Mar 2023)

2.3 million people [in Türkiye] have been identified as living in formal and informal settlements across earthquake affected areas as of 16 March. Out of this number, 1.6 million have been identified to be living in informal settlements. (OCHA, 17 Mar 2023)

At least 3 million people affected by the earthquakes are in the Idleb province. More than 4,500 deaths and more than 8,700 injuries due to the earthquakes have been reported in north-west Syria, as of 13 March, according to the Health Cluster. At least 148 cities and towns in north-west Syria have been affected by the earthquakes. The districts with the highest number of deaths and injuries, as of 13 March, are Harim and Afrin. Two-thirds of all injuries were reported in Harim. As of 14 March, 1,869 buildings have been completely destroyed and 8,731 buildings have been partially destroyed. Some 57 per cent of partial and fully destroyed buildings were reported in Harim and Afrin. (OCHA, 23 Mar 2023)

On 20 March, Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reported that the death toll from the devastating earthquakes on 6 February has increased to 50,096. There have been 107,204 injuries. IOM reports that 3 million people have been displaced by the earthquakes in Türkiye. An estimated 1.7 million people live in informal settlements, mostly in makeshift shelters or tents with extremely basic living conditions. [...] To date, UN agencies and humanitarian partners have reached close to 535 thousand people with support for improved living spaces, including tents, Relief Housing Units (RHUs) and tarpaulins. 1.4 million people received support for water, sanitation and hygiene, and about 47 thousand people received health support. Over 345 organizations are distributing hot meals to approximately 1.25 million people every day. [...] The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that the earthquakes caused $6.7 billion in losses and damage to crops, livestock production, food stocks and agricultural infrastructure and assets. (OCHA, 24 Mar 2023)

Around 60 thousand Syrians in Türkiye have returned to their home country across the border since the earthquakes on 6 February, said the Turkish National Defense Minister. Urgent support is needed to prevent a slide into poverty and an increase in child labour and low-wage jobs with no financial security or stability, following the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria in February, warned the International Labour Organization (ILO) in a new assessment report. The ILO estimates a 16.0 per cent loss in working hours in the affected areas. The reduction in activity is comparable to the hours of work done by 657 thousand full-time equivalent workers. An estimated 1.6 million people live in informal settlements, with bare minimum living conditions and limited or no access to services. Despite receiving some humanitarian support, these families still need improved shelters, water and sanitation services, and basic household items. Drinking water emerges as one of the main needs due to disruptions to water networks. These disruptions not only create challenges for accessing safe and clean water, but also pose a significant risk to food safety, agriculture, and livestock breeding. Access to essential services, disease control, and water and sanitation services continue to be among the priority needs, particularly in informal settlements. The Ministry of National Education has resumed education in all ten provinces affected by the earthquakes. However, education in the four most severely impacted provinces has gradually resumed in specific districts. (OCHA, 30 Mar 2023)

Türkiye added six more provinces to the earthquake disaster zone as they suffered damage in the 6 February earthquakes, announced the nation’s disaster agency. The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has added settlements in the provinces of Bingöl, Kayseri, Mardin, Tunceli, Niğde, and Batman to the qualifying zone for governmental aid, as damaged buildings were identified in these areas, according to a statement issued by AFAD. On 5 April, Türkiye’s Ministry of Interior announced that they have established 345 tent cities and 305 container cities in the earthquake-affected region, adding that 2.6 million people are living in tent cities, while nearly 79 thousand people are living in container cities. Additionally, the Ministry reported that over 1.6 million people have received a support payment of 10,000 Turkish Liras ($519). AFAD says there has been a notable decline in the number of individuals hosted in other provinces, as many are now returning to their provinces in the earthquake-affected region. Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has reported on 5 April that the death toll from the devastating earthquakes has risen to 50,339. The death toll is updated at long intervals due to the fact that identification of bodies takes time, Soylu said. (OCHA, 6 Apr 2023)

Ongoing environmental challenges continue to affect people, particularly those living in informal sites and tent cities. Heavy rain affected areas including Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Şanlıurfa and Hatay on 10 and 11 April, causing flooding in tents and other dwellings and a yellow warning was issued for heavy rainfall in 21 provinces, including those in the earthquake zone. On 11 April, three earthquakes measuring 4.3, 4.2 and 4.0 magnitude occurred in proximity to the areas affected by the February earthquakes. (OCHA, 17 Apr 2023)

More than 4,500 deaths and 10,400 injuries due to the earthquakes have been reported in north-west Syria according to the Health Cluster. 43 per cent of the injured are women and girls. 20 per cent of the injured are children aged five to 14 years old. At least 148 communities in north-west Syria have been affected by the earthquakes. The districts with the highest number of deaths and injuries are Harim and Afrin. Some 1,100 deaths (a quarter of reported deaths) were recorded in Jandairis in the Afrin District. At least 10,600 buildings have been destroyed by the earthquakes at varying degrees (1,869 buildings have been completely destroyed and 8,731 buildings have been partially destroyed). (OCHA, 28 Apr 2023)

People [in Türkiye] who were forced to relocate after the earthquakes are showing interest in returning to their areas of origin. This is partly attributed to the pace of the development of formal settlements housing people in containers (“container cities”). Some 20 per cent of people who temporarily relocated to cities outside the earthquake-affected provinces are returning, according to the Ministry of Interior. Financial constraints and the high cost of living in the hosting provinces may be possible factors for those returning. Rents rose 47 per cent in Gaziantep Province and 25 per cent in Hatay Province between February and April (the national average where data is available is 16 per cent). The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has observed an increase in returns of refugees to the affected provinces as well, for similar reasons. To meet the needs of the returning population, authorities are attempting to strengthen shelter capacity through temporary accommodation. (OCHA, 29 Apr 2023)

Humanitarian needs remain 100 days after devastating earthquakes hit southern Türkiye on 6 February, killing more than 50,000 people and creating widespread damage and destruction. More than half a million buildings sustained significant damage forcing some 3 million people to relocate. [...]

To date, partners have directly provided 4 million people with some sort of humanitarian assistance and have provided in-kind goods and services through the government to benefit an estimated 2.3 million people. However, the sheer scale of the disaster means that many people continue to have significant unmet needs.

Many of the approximately 2.6 million people (650,000 households) currently living in tents in both formal and informal sites are likely to continue doing so during the hot summer months, with basic living conditions and limited services. (OCHA, 17 May 2023)

At the end of May, 5.4 million people had received at least one form of humanitarian assistance in the earthquake-affected areas, up from 4 million people reached until end of April. [...] The increase in the number of people reached from previous reporting is attributable to ongoing humanitarian activities, as well as refinements in the common activity reporting system. (OCHA, 25 June 2023)

More than 4,500 deaths and 10,400 injuries due to the earthquakes have been reported in north-west Syria according to the Health Cluster. 43 per cent of the injured are women and girls. 20 per cent of the injured are children aged five to 14 years old. At least 148 communities have been affected and the districts with the highest number of deaths and injuries are Harim and Afrin.

More than 10,600 buildings have been destroyed by the earthquakes at varying degrees including at least 1,000 primary and secondary schools. Nearly a third of the 601 health facilities are non-functional, 70 of which were damaged by the disaster.

The need for dignified shelters: the Shelter/NFI Cluster reported that the homes of at least 855,000 people were damaged to varying degrees by the earthquakes. Out of this figure, 265,000 people who lost their homes are in need of dignified shelters. The Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster reported that over 66,000 individuals are living in newly established reception centers. (OCHA, 21 Jul 2023)

As of 8 August, based on findings from the second round of Displacement Tracking Matrix/Temporary Sites and Settlements site mapping, there are 181,264 households living in temporary sites in the four most affected provinces [in Türkiye], a 59 per cent decrease compared to March 2023 round one data. For informal sites alone, 100,159 households were identified in August 2023, representing a 64 per cent reduction since March. Figures from authorities show that there are 344,016 people in 40 formal tented sites (23,211 people), and 349 container sites (320,805 people). [...] Returns have been observed by some households that departed the affected areas after the earthquake. For example, half a million people in Hatay were reported to have departed after the earthquake, with 159,087 returns recorded (28 per cent of those who departed) in June 2023. In Malatya, of the 804,896 pre-earthquake population, an estimated 300,000 departed, with 109,225 returns recorded as of June (approximately 42 per cent). In Adiyaman, only nine tent cities are left, three of which are populated by Syrian refugees. (OCHA, 15 Aug 2023)

As of 25 August, the structural assessment teams in Aleppo Governorate have assessed 126,029 buildings, including 33,058 that require reinforcement, 5,192 that require demolishment, and 87,779 that are safe. [...] In Lattakia Governorate, the structural assessments conducted by the High Safety Committee show that 9,627 buildings have been assessed, including 133 that are safe, 3,715 that require rehabilitation, 4,808 that need reinforcement, and 963 that should be demolished. [...]

In Homs Governorate, 687 earthquake-displaced families (2,736 people) have been identified as of 3 September, including 660 families (2,614 people) hosted by local communities, and 27 families hosted in two shelters in Homs City [...] In addition, 354 families (1,318 people) returned to their places of origin in Aleppo, Hama, Lattakia, Tartous and Homs. (OCHA, 02 Oct 2023)

According to an assessment conducted by the Education Cluster, 54 per cent of schools in north-west Syria have been affected including some 1,000 partially damaged schools. At least 1 million school-aged children are now out of school – an increase from 800,000 children estimated prior to the disaster. Among key concerns are consequences that may not be immediately apparent including the mental toll on children, teachers and education workers. Following the earthquakes, over 22,000 teachers in north-west Syria are in need of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), fair compensation, and capacity-building to address the learning loss. (OCHA, 02 Nov 2023)

Following the earthquakes, the number of food insecure people has increased from 3.3 million to 3.7 million people – or 82 per cent of the population in north-west Syria. (OCHA, 02 Nov 2023)

As of 17 September, 159 earthquake-displaced families (approximately 697 people) in various governorates have returned to Idleb Governorate. [...] In Aleppo Governorate, nine medium-term collective shelters continue to accommodate 466 earthquake-affected families (2,385 people). Dozens of other families remain on the waiting list. [...] An INGO commenced rehabilitating around 50 damaged houses for earthquake-affected families in Hama. Moreover, an INGO distributed 100 tents for the affected families, where 90 tents have been set up by end of September. Humanitarian agencies, in collaboration with the DoE, plan to rehabilitate 69 earthquake-affected schools in Hama Governorate, while the DoE lightly rehabilitated 63 ones.

As of 24 September, all the collective shelters in Hama Governorate have closed, and the evacuated families either received a tent or assistance to rent an apartment.

In Homs Governorate, 26 earthquake-affected families continue to be hosted in two collective shelters in Homs City.

In September, all collective shelters have closed in Lattakia and families will receive cash assistance of SYP7.5 million for housing rent. Currently, 38 displaced families are hosted in 33 units in Naqa’a (long-term housing), Jableh town in Lattakia Governorate. The long-term shelters in six other locations are still under construction and are expected to be ready in two months. There are no available accurate figures of IDPs still living outside the shelters. (OCHA, 09 Nov 2023)

These devastating events resulted in the interruption of education for over four million children in Syria. [...] 63 schools, with moderate and severe damage, comprising 609 classrooms for around 10,000 students, remain closed.

As of 24 October, the Operations Room in Aleppo had commenced emptying the remaining nine collective shelters housing 466 earthquake-affected families. [...] In Lattakia Governorate, 193,488 earthquake-affected families (890,045 people) had been identified in four districts as of 29 October. Since February, the constructional/General Safety Committees have assessed 107,638 buildings where 59,371 buildings are deemed safe, 27,483 require rehabilitation, 19,013 require reinforcement and 1,771 should be demolished. Of note, all initially designated shelters in the governorate no longer house any displaced families. (OCHA, 04 Dec 2023)

Multi-purpose cash assistance in particular took prominence [in Syria] in the earthquake response given the resilience of local markets. Its flexibility enables families to buy what they need of their own choice, all while stimulating the local economy. Within a week of the earthquakes, $1.8 million of multi-purpose cash was distributed to 13,000 affected families, who were either homeless, displaced, or in need of medical care. This support has since exponentially risen. As of 15 November, some 215,000 families – nearly 1 million people – have received multi-purpose cash valued at $32 million since the start of 2023. At least half of Afrin’s population and nearly a quarter of Harim’s population were supported. (OCHA, 21 Dec 2023)

Around 159 earthquake-affected families returned from Lattakia, Aleppo and Hama Governorates to Idleb Governorate. Of those, 55 families are hosted in two shelters in Khan Shaykun City, while the rest are hosted by relatives. [...]

Rehabilitation efforts for earthquake-affected schools in Lattakia Governorate are currently underway through collaborative initiatives among the Directorate of Education, INGOs and national NGOs. To date, 71 schools have been successfully rehabilitated. The Directorate of Education supervised the rehabilitation of 60 schools, while humanitarian organizations have contributed to the rehabilitation of 11 schools. [...]

Since February, the technical engineering teams in Lattakia Governorate have assessed 107,638 buildings, including 59,371 buildings that are safe, 27,483 that require rehabilitation, 19,013 that require reinforcement, and 1,771 that should be demolished.

On 30 November, the Aleppo earthquake response Operations Room evacuated the remaining 466 earthquake-affected families who were staying in nine collective shelters. (OCHA, 03 Jan 2024)

In Aleppo Governorate, 54 buildings collapsed while an ongoing structural assessment at the governorate level has so far revealed that out of 126,029 assessed buildings, 33,058 buildings are structurally damaged and would require structural rehabilitation. 5,192 buildings cannot be rehabilitated and require demolition. All shelters in Aleppo City were evacuated and closed by 30 November 2023; eligible families received cash assistance to secure alternative accommodation.

As of 31 December, 242,625 earthquake-affected people (48,525 families) have been identified in Hama Governorate, including 6,011 displaced as their houses were badly damaged and needed to be demolished, and 42,514 families displaced as their houses were partially damaged and need rehabilitation. Most displaced families were hosted in shelters or by the local community and relatives. In February 2023, Hama Governorate opened 17 shelters for those affected, and by the end of September, the governorate closed all shelters. People who left the shelters either returned to their houses or were hosted by their relatives/rented houses.

In Homs Governorate, 1,044 earthquake-displaced families (4,069 people) have been identified as of 31 December. Out of those, 363 families (1,365 people) returned to their places of origin in Aleppo, Hama, Lattakia, Tartous and Homs. Also, 681 families (2,704 people) are hosted by local communities, and 19 families (84 people) are hosted in two shelters in Homs City.

In Lattakia, approximately 193,488 families (890,045 people) have been impacted by the earthquake in four locations (Lattakia, Jableh, Haffeh and Al-Qardaha). A total of 105 buildings were destroyed. To date, 107,638 buildings have been assessed including 27,483 that require rehabilitation, 19,013 that need reinforcement, and 1,771 that should be demolished. (OCHA, 07 Feb 2024)

The earthquakes severely exacerbated the already dire situation in Syria. Over 5,900 deaths and more than 12,800 injuries were reported in Syria, according to the Health Sector and the Ministry of Health (MoH). [...]

Overall, 170 sub-districts in 43 districts in ten governorates were impacted by the earthquakes. The most affected areas included Aleppo Governorate where 4.2 million people were affected to varying degrees. Almost three million people in Idleb Governorate were also affected. All ten governorates were exposed to shaking levels V to VII on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. Many of these areas were already in dire need following 12 years of hostilities that had resulted in structural damage to many buildings and infrastructure, and weakened access to social services.

Overall, more than 2,260 buildings were destroyed, and more than 32,000 buildings were reportedly damaged in Syria. Idleb and Aleppo were the governorates with the highest number of destroyed structures, with more than 1,180 buildings destroyed in Idleb, and more than 342 buildings destroyed in Aleppo Governorate. [...]

According to the Syria Earthquake Recovery Needs Assessment (SERNA), the earthquakes resulted in $8.9 billion in losses and $14.8 billion in recovery needs over the next three-year period. [...]

The number of people temporarily displaced due to the earthquakes peaked at around 97,400 households, in March, with most people moving within the affected sub-districts of Jandairis, Salqin, Dana and Maaret Tamsrin. (OCHA, 03 Mar 2024)

Today, as many as 43,000 displaced individuals [in Syria] have not returned home. The majority (40,500 IDPs) reside in 70 reception centers while nearly 3,100 IDPs are in camps and informal sites. (OCHA, 15 Mar 2024)

The February 2023 earthquakes in northern Syria and Türkiye have added agony to an already catastrophic situation, resulting in almost 6,000 deaths and more than 12,800 people injured in Syria, increasing the strain on services, causing displacement, and inflicting widespread damage. (OCHA, 17 Apr 2024)

As of 10 March, around 1,196 earthquake-affected families, originally from Idleb Governorate, arrived from Lattakia, Tartous, Damascus, Aleppo and Hama Governorates in the Government of Syria areas of Idleb Governorate. Of those, 55 families are currently hosted in two shelters in Khan Shaykun City while the rest are hosted by relatives. (OCHA, 08 May 2024)

In 2023, 11.4 million protection interventions were provided to people in need across Syria, including 2.8 million interventions (26 per cent of the total) targeting earthquake-affected persons. [...] During the emergency phase of the earthquake response, an estimated 5.4 million people needed emergency shelter interventions like emergency tents, shelter kits/materials, items/equipment to support debris removal and structural assessment along with emergency non-food items. (OCHA, 03 Jul 2024)