One year after the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria: "The need for humanitarian aid is increasing."

One year ago, devastating earthquakes shook Türkiye and Syria. The effects of these natural disasters are still being felt in both countries. For millions of displaced people and their hosts, the situation has even worsened. This is what UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told the media at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on February 6.

In Syria, the earthquake affected almost 9 million people across the country. Tens of thousands were left homeless. In north-western Syria alone, more than 40,000 are still living in 70 temporary reception centers. "The number of Syrians in need of aid has risen to 16.7 million - compared to 15.3 million last year," said Mantoo. A civil war has been raging in Syria for 13 years. 7.2 million inhabitants have been displaced within their country. The war has also plunged Syria into a deep economic crisis: almost 90 percent of the population live in poverty.

A picture of the destruction in the Turkish province of Hatay after the quake in February 2023.

Türkiye is one of the world's main host countries for refugees. The earthquake affected a region in which almost 2 million of them had found shelter. Despite the comprehensive humanitarian measures, the situation of these people and their Turkish hosts is still precarious. Even before the earthquake, many refugees were unable to meet their basic needs, had no work and no suitable place to stay. After the natural disaster in February 2023, the need for accommodation, medical support, electricity and other basic services has increased many times over. Many of those affected have been forced to resort to survival strategies - for example, by spending less money on food or taking out loans, according to reports.

In both countries, the emotional well-being of the affected population has also suffered greatly, as UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo emphasized. In both Türkiye and Syria, 60,000 people lost their lives in the quakes. Tens of thousands were injured and entire districts were reduced to rubble. "Many have lost family members and friends."

Syrian earthquake survivor Youssef Matrewawi in front of a destroyed building in Türkiye.

UNHCR greatly appreciates the generous aid that was provided after the earthquakes. However, the UN Refugee Agency is asking for further support so that the most urgent humanitarian needs can be met. You too can help by making a donation. Thank you very much!

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, UNHCR has already been able to provide assistance to more than 311,000 people affected by the earthquake in Syria. This includes providing shelter, psychosocial support and cash assistance. Relief supplies have been distributed to more than 68,000 families in the affected areas.

UNHCR is supporting families in Syria affected by the earthquake with relief supplies.

Tents provide shelter for people in Türkiye who have become homeless.

In Türkiye, UNHCR has delivered more than 3 million relief items, including tents, containers, hygiene kits and warm clothing. In addition, UNHCR offered legal advice to more than half a million affected people, helped them obtain documents and cared for people with special needs, including people with disabilities.

Shabia Mantoo said at the Palais des Nations that UNHCR was calling for resettlement opportunities for refugees to be expanded in order to provide them with long term solutions and a fresh start. This would relieve the burden on Türkiye.

On the anniversary of the severe earthquakes, UNHCR also remembered the four colleagues and dozens of humanitarian workers who lost their lives or are still missing in Türkiye and Syria.