Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes February 2023
On 6 February 2023, two devastating earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude on the Richter Scale, struck Pazarcık and Elbistan in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. The initial earthquake was followed by over 3,100 aftershocks, including a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that hit Elbistan, according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). Impacts have been felt across the 10 provinces in which a state of emergency has been declared (Adıyaman, Gaziantep, Kilis, Hatay, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa) and Elazığ, with Hatay, Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep reportedly hardest hit.
In Türkiye, the disaster response is led by the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). As of 13 March 2023, 48,443 deaths had been reported in the country, and 2.7 million people have been displaced in Türkiye.
In Syria, the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) reported 1,414 deaths and 2,357 injuries as of 27 March. More than 40,000 households have been displaced by the earthquake. Displaced families are in dire need of food, shelter, non-food items including winter clothes, medicine, water, hygiene, and sanitation assistance, including psychosocial support.
The UN and partners have quickly mobilized rapid response teams and funding to help people affected by the earthquake. Within hours after the disaster, the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) started coordinating efforts by international SAR teams, while United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams deployed on the ground to coordinate humanitarian efforts. On 7 February, the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) announced a $25 million allocation to kickstart response activities. On 16 February, the United Nations launched a $1 billion appeal to provide assistance to 5.2 million people affected in Türkiye.
According to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the total number of people provided with shelter and accommodation is more than 3.5 million. Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, has announced that the construction for 27,253 housing units has begun.
As an individual or a business, you can donate today to the Türkiye-Syria earthquake appeal. For more information about how businesses can support the humanitarian response, please check out OCHA/CBi Business Guide.
Mobilizing the Private Sector to Support Humanitarian Response
The Connecting Business initiative (CBi) Network in Türkiye is actively involved in the response. The network, led by the Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (Türk Girişim ve İş Dünyası Konfederasyonu or TÜRKONFED) in collaboration with the UNDP Business for Goals (B4G) platform, is mobilizing its regional federations to support efforts on the ground.
The network helped humanitarian partners with accommodation and translation services as well as transportation for staff and search and rescue equipment.
The Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (TÜRKONFED), the Federation of Sectoral Associations (SEDEFED) and Habitat Association formed a “Joint Cooperation Platform” to help establish sustainable living centers in Hatay, Kahramanmaraş and Adıyaman. With support from TÜRKONFED members like the Denizli Young Business People’s Association (DEGİAD), the Adana Industrialists' and Business People's Association (ADSİAD) and the OMEGA Group, 100 containers were placed in Samandağ, Hatay in coordination with AFAD and the District Governate of Samandağ. To date, TÜRKONFED has reported in-kind donations worth over US$11 million.
For early recovery activities, the network is looking to support the establishment of industrial zones for SMEs in Hatay which is coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology.
In addition, CBi Member Networks all around the world are mobilizing their resources. Check our latest update for more information.
