Thirteen and a half million people are estimated to have been impacted by the Türkiye earthquake, and over 15,000 lives have been lost across Türkiye and Syria.
Thousands of buildings have been reduced to rubble by the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which struck southeastern Türkiye and northwestern Syria on February 6.
Rescue workers continue to search desperately for survivors, hampered by cold weather and damaged infrastructure.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning of “catastrophic humanitarian needs” in both Syria and Türkiye and appealing for critical funds and lifesaving support for those affected “before it is too late”.
In northwest Syria millions of vulnerable and displaced people were already relying on humanitarian support.
The Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) has launched an earthquake appeal, and says that by partnering with other agencies it can increase the percentage of money which directly helps those affected.
Donations go to trusted organisations on the ground providing urgent life-saving aid.
The EAA is a group of 15 aid organisations in Australia which work together overseas after disasters. These organisations are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response – and work directly with partner organisations on the ground in the affected areas.
Alliance members include the UNHCR, Oxfam, Save the Children, ActionAid, Caritas Australia, Plan International, Care Australia, Baptist World Aid, Act for Peace, Tearfund, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australian Lutheran World Service, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), ChildFund Australia, and Christian Blind Mission.
EAA member ADRA Australia reports that ADRA Syria has deployed two response teams who will initially serve about 1,100 individuals. Many people have lost everything. Photos have come through from one of the shelters ADRA has established in local schools in Aleppo. The shelters are providing people with food, water, cash vouchers and blankets to withstand the cold winter.
“Please join us as we continue to pray for the millions of lives impacted by these devastating earthquakes,” it says.
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Donate now to https://emergencyaction.org.au/turkeysyriaearthquake
