HELP CHILDREN AFFECTED BY THE SYRIA AND TÜRKIYE EARTHQUAKES

Millions of children are still in need of urgent humanitarian support months after two devastating earthquakes hit northern Syria and south-eastern Türkiye in February 2023. With your support, UNICEF has been working tirelessly to provide safe water, hygiene kits, vaccines and psychosocial support to children and families affected by this crisis.

THE IMPACT OF THE SYRIA AND TÜRKIYE EARTHQUAKES

The earthquakes displaced millions of people after being forced from their damaged or destroyed homes and hundreds of thousands continue to live in temporary shelters. Hospitals, schools and other essential infrastructure were also damaged, leaving children without access to safe water, medical care and education.

In Syria, the effects of the earthquakes have worsened the already dire situation facing children and families. Ninety per cent of families in Syria were living in poverty when the earthquakes hit, with two-thirds of the population in need of assistance due to economic crisis, conflict and mass displacement. Almost 1.9 million children have had their education disrupted because of the earthquakes, with many schools still being used as shelters.

In Türkiye, 1.5 million children have been affected by the earthquakes. Heavy rains following the earthquakes caused more damage to homes, buildings, bridges and highways, resulting in further displacement. Approximately 2.4 million people are still displaced, of which 1.6 million live in informal settlements, such as tents, with limited access to basic services like water and sanitation.

HOW UNICEF IS RESPONDING TO THE EARTHQUAKES

UNICEF is continuing our humanitarian work in Syria and Türkiye by providing children and families life-saving assistance such as safe water, hygiene kits, vaccines, psychosocial support and temporary learning centres.

In Syria, UNICEF has reached 2.5 million people with assistance, including access to safe water for drinking and domestic needs and providing hygiene supplies. We have also helped more than 140,000 children access formal or non-formal education, including early learning, and provided approximately 237,000 individuals with mental health and psychosocial support services.

In Türkiye, UNICEF is focused on providing life-saving supplies to children and families still in need of assistance. We are also providing financial support to help repair schools and supporting the Ministry of National Education with measures to get children back into the classroom. These include setting up hundreds of tents for learning activities such as catch-up classes and exam preparation, as well as establishing prefabricated classrooms.

HOW YOUR DONATION WILL HELP CHILDREN IN SYRIA AND TÜRKIYE

Children affected by the Syria and Türkiye earthquakes need urgent help. Your donation today will support UNICEF’s ongoing response by providing children and families with:

• Access to safe water and sanitation supplies;  
• Access to formal or non-formal education, including early learning;
• Treatment for severe acute malnutrition; 
• Access to life-saving vaccines and medical supplies.