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06.02.2023 | Press Release

Emergency aid for victims of the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria

Welthungerhilfe provides 100,000 euros in aid

Ein Mann überreicht einem anderen Mann ein Paket mit Hilfsgütern von der Welthungerhilfe
People affected by the earthquake in northern Syria are being supplied with emergency kits by Welthungerhilfe. © Welthungerhilfe
Simone Pott Team Communications

Bonn/Berlin, 06.02.2023. Following the severe earthquakes in south-east Türkiye, the number of victims is rising rapidly. The earthquakes have damaged many houses and roads, as well as the infrastructure in Türkiye and Syria, a region where millions of civil war refugees from Syria have sought shelter. As a first step, Welthungerhilfe is providing 100,000 euros in emergency aid for the victims of the earthquake.

"In the northwest of Syria, many buildings have collapsed in the Idlib region and south of Afrin, particularly those that had already been damaged or been unstable after 12 years of civil war. It is suspected that many more victims will be found under the rubble. Hospitals have appealed for blood donations. Aftershocks shake the region again and again, and therefore many people are staying outside in the cold and sleet because they are afraid to return to their homes," reports Jesco Weickert, Welthungerhilfe's emergency aid coordinator in the region.

The earthquakes hit those who already live in catastrophic humanitarian conditions particularly hard. In north-west Syria, 4.1 million of the 4.5 million inhabitants are dependent on aid: many are starving, and there is a lack of drinking water, electricity and fuel for heating. Temperatures are currently around freezing and there is snow in many regions. In these areas, Welthungerhilfe is planning to support the earthquake victims with vital relief supplies.

Welthungerhilfe has been active in the region since 2013. With 245 employees in the Gaziantep regional office (Türkiye), project offices in north-west Syria, and in cooperation with local partner organisations, Welthungerhilfe supports Syrians who have fled, as well as the host communities in north-west Syria and south-east Türkiye.

Welthungerhilfe is asking for donations for the earthquake victims using the keyword "Erdbeben Türkei/Syrien".

Help victims of the earthquake by donating now

Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest private aid organisations in Germany and enjoys both political and religious independence. It is fighting for “Zero Hunger by 2030”. Since being founded in 1962, it has provided funding of EUR 4.46 billion for more than 10,895 overseas projects in 70 countries. Welthungerhilfe bases its efforts on the principle of empowering people to help themselves, which it implements with measures ranging from rapid disaster relief to rehabilitation to long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organisations.

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