Earthquake: Oxfam and partner organisations prepare interventions in Turkey and Syria

Oxfam teams in Turkey and Syria, together with partner organizations, are assessing the fastest and most appropriate humanitarian response to help the people affected by Monday's earthquake - the strongest in Turkey since 1939.

"The scale of the damage is enormous. After two major earthquakes and more than 60 aftershocks, people are still in shock and fear, they don't even have time to mourn their loved ones."

- Meryam Aslan, Oxfam spokesperson in Ankara

Rescue teams looking for people in the rubble, Turkey, February 6, 2023. Photo: Ahmet Yukus/Depo Photos via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Oxfam in Turkey (Oxfam KEDV) is working with about 80 women's cooperatives in ten Turkish provinces affected by the earthquake, and is currently planning interventions.

"Oxfam, together with partners, collects the necessary information to assess the extent of the damage and what people most urgently need. Usually Oxfam provides shelter, water, food and sanitation. We are now assessing what kind of emergency and long-term support is needed."

Meryam Aslan, Oxfam spokesperson in Ankara

"Reaching survivors will be extremely challenging as many roads are damaged or blocked, and distances are great. It's a double tragedy for survivors who now also have to deal with the cold outside. It's scary to think how people will even be able to cope as some areas are now covered in snow."

Meryam Aslan, Oxfam spokesperson in Ankara

Car crushed under a collapsed building, Syria, February 6, 2023. Photo: Ghaith Alsayed/AP/Shutterstock

In Syria, the cities of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Idlib have been severely affected by both the earthquake and the ongoing aftershocks. Dozens of buildings have been severely damaged across Aleppo and at least 46 have collapsed. With night-time temperatures now expected to drop below zero, the needs for shelter, food, water, fuel and medical care for those injured are critical.

For Syria, the earthquake struck at a time when humanitarian needs in the country are already at their highest. More than 15 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian aid and support due to the conflict in the country.

"We know that all countries affected by this terrible earthquake, and the survivors, will need a lot of support and help - not only in the immediate short term, but also in the days, weeks and months to come."

Meryam Aslan, Oxfam spokesperson in Ankara