The Devastating Effects of the Turkey-Syria Earthquakes
The Devastating Effects of the Turkey-Syria Earthquakes
Three weeks ago, in the span of nearly nine hours, two devastating earthquakes hit Southeastern Turkey and Northwestern Syria. With magnitudes of 7.5 and 7.8, the vibrations of the earthquakes could be felt as far as Lebanon and Jordan. To date, the reported case numbers are increasing rapidly, with over 50,000 dead, as well as tens of thousands more injured.
The recent earthquakes have had detrimental effects on entire communities in Turkey and Syria, with numerous families separated and homes destroyed. According to government estimates, over 1.7 million refugees lived in the ten affected areas of Turkey.
The concentrated refugee population in the Northwestern region of Syria greatly relies on humanitarian assistance and international aid, most of which comes from Turkey. With the earthquake first striking in the Southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, the future allocation of resources is uncertain. On top of this, Northwest Syria is also in the midst of a cholera outbreak, exacerbating the situation for the displaced population there.
Many of the Syrian refugees who fled the civil war in 2011 settled in Turkey with hopes of a better life, however, there has been growing hostility towards refugees in Turkey amid the global economic crisis. Following the earthquakes, places of support and safety such as mosques are prioritising Turks. Whilst some of the Turkish population might find shelter with family and friends, the Syrian refugees have nowhere to go. They lack cars, homes, networks and support.
The desperation for a warm meal and a roof over their heads is leading refugees to consider returning to Syria.“If the Turks don’t want me, maybe I’ll just have to go back. My house was bombed out during the war but at least there are people I know so my family won’t starve” said Layal Khleif, a Syrian refugee in Turkey.
How to Help
You can donate to humanitarian efforts through the UN Refugee Agency, The British Red Cross, The White Helmets and The International Rescue Committee, among others.
Resources for those who have been affected by the earthquakes can be found here.
References
Financial Times - ‘They hate us’: earthquake tests ties between Syrian refugees and Turkish hosts
TIME - Everything we know about the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
Norwegian Refugee Council - Syria and Türkiye: Deadly earthquake will worsen humanitarian crisis
Aljazeera - Cholera outbreak in quake-hit northwestern Syria kills two people