Leading Australian charities join together to launch appeal for Türkiye and Syria earthquake emergency
8th February 2023
Earthquake emergency appeal launched for Türkiye and Syria earthquake response
Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) has today launched an urgent appeal for people affected by the catastrophic earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. It is estimated that more than 7,800 have so far been killed with the death toll expected to rise.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southeast Türkiye and northern Syria in the early hours of 6 February 2023. The impact was felt in countries as far as Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt. A second, 7.5-magnitude earthquake struct nine hours later, 100km north of the epicentre of the first earthquake, impacting areas in central Turkey, while strong aftershocks followed.
In addition to the 7,800 people who have died, some 20,000 people have been injured with thousands more missing.
EAA unites 15 leading Australian charities that come together to help respond to humanitarian emergencies. They are working with local partners on the ground to provide immediate support including assistance with search and rescue efforts, provision of food, water, and financial support to affected families, and distribution of emergency shelter materials such as blankets and tents.
However, additional support is urgently needed to help thousands more people affected by this disaster.
EAA Executive Director Kerren Morris said: “Right now EAA member organisations are working with their local partners on the ground to provide immediate, life-saving aid to the disaster response, including search and rescue efforts as thousands of people remain trapped in the rubble,” Ms Morris said.
“They are doing all they can, but we urgently need donations to reach thousands more people. The death toll is expected to rise dramatically and there will be hundreds of thousands of people who need shelter, food, and other assistance, particularly in the current harsh winter conditions.
“We are urging Australians to give whatever they can to help.”
CARE Türkiye Country Director Sherine Ibrahim said tents, mattresses, blankets, food, drinking water, baby items and warm clothing were immediate priorities for people affected.
“We’re in dire need of immediate support in the form of financial assistance to make sure that those who are out in the cold are able to find warmth, those who are hungry are able to eat, and children who are already suffering from malnutrition are able to survive,” Ms Ibrahim said.
Oxfam spokesperson in Türkiye, Meryem Aslan, said: “It is a double tragedy for survivors having to cope too with the cold and who will be unable to sleep outside. It is horrifying to contemplate how people will even be able to cope, given that some areas are even now in snow,” she said.
“Reaching survivors will be extremely challenging with many roads and highways damaged or blocked, and over vast distances. Even as Turkiye has a lot of expertise in dealing with the aftermath of earthquakes, the scale of this one is daunting. The number of survivors who may be left now with absolutely nothing is likely to be huge.”
Baptist World Aid chief executive Melissa Lipsett said: “Baptist World Aid is responding to the devastation unfolding in Türkiye and northern Syria this week. Many of those affected by two massive earthquakes, and their aftershocks, are families who fled civil war in Syria and are already dependent on humanitarian assistance. We’re working closely with a number of Partners to access the situation, and support their emergency relief efforts in the immediate, and into the future.”
Caritas Australia chief executive Kirsty Robertson said: “Right now, people are trapped under the rubble, injured or homeless in almost blizzard-like conditions. They’re huddling in cars or by open fires for warmth. Electricity is down so hospitals can’t run, and pregnant women, newborns and the injured are out on the streets. We are hearing that the whole city of Aleppo is flattened. People have suffered enough. Some of them have lost everything already – and this earthquake has destroyed what little they had left. We must do everything we can to support.”
EAA encourages Australians to support the Türkiye and Syria earthquakeappeal by donating online at emergencyaction.org.au
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MEDIA: Spokespeople, including those in Türkiye and Syria, are available for interview. Images and b-roll are also available on request. Contact Jackie Hanafie on 03 9005 7353 or +62 8123 1371 949 (Signal/WA) or media@emergencyaction.org.au
About Emergency Action Alliance (EAA): EAA brings together 15 leading Australian NGOs to raise funds quickly and efficiently to respond to humanitarian emergencies as they unfold. Members include ActionAid Australia, Act For Peace, ADRA, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australia for UNHCR, Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid Australia, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, CBM Australia, ChildFund Australia, Oxfam Australia, Plan International Australia, Save the Children Australia, and Tearfund Australia.