Two years on: How donations have been helping people in Turkey and Syria

Doğa* strongly believes in the healing power of nature. As she tends to her orange grove, she feels a deep connection to her community, feeling a need to encourage younger generations to heal through agriculture.

Two years ago, when a series of powerful earthquakes hit southern Turkey and northwest Syria, the scale of loss and destruction was devastating. Hatay, where Doga lives, was one of areas worst affected and like millions of others she lost her home in the disaster.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the UK public, DEC charities and their local partners have been supporting people affected by the earthquakes since the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Now, two years on, DEC funds are still supporting some of those who lost everything as they continue to rebuild their lives and communities.

Doğa is one of the many farmers who has received training through Save the Children’s Food Security and Livelihoods Programme. The project provides local farmers with training and cash grants to learn new skills and to replace equipment damaged by the earthquake.

When I participated in the Save the Children’s programme I saw that every farmer has a unique story. Witnessing this strengthened my belief in the need to grow our community and increase production" - Doğa

The programme, funded by the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, enables people to restart and even expand their business activities. Local farmers and producers like Doğa have learned to expand their markets, use social media, and manage their financial processes. 

Seray* is another local farmer who has benefitted from the programme. She founded a women’s cooperative in the Hatay area in 2019 and since the earthquake her business has expanded significantly, whilst creating a social environment within the community. 

"Through socialising we helped their healing process. And by helping them earn money, we also supported them in improving their psychological wellbeing," she says.

Using the skills gained through the training, the cooperative have been able to market and sell the now famous ‘Love jam’ made with special peppers specific to the area - providing local women with a regular income. 

There are now over 40 women’s cooperatives working in the area, many formed after receiving training from the DEC funded programme.

Producing is healing. It is healing in every aspect; socially, psychologically, and economically. That’s why, to heal, we must produce" - Seray

In Syria, the humanitarian situation was already highly complex prior to the earthquakes. Many people living in the earthquake-affected areas of the north-west had previously fled their homes to escape fighting and were living in temporary accommodation.

The political change in December 2024 has meant many of those affected by the earthquakes are looking to return to their communities, and to check on their homes and businesses. This has had a significant impact on the areas where DEC charities and their local partners are supporting people.

One of the people directly affected is Murshid* who fled Aleppo in 2016 due to the conflict. He recently returned to Aleppo only to find his house damaged beyond repair. 

Murshid is being supported by the Hope Revival Project, a local partner of DEC charity Age International. After making contact with their local centre, staff guided him to participate in the direct employment programme which offered him the chance to gain practical experience and a monthly salary.

Working with men struggling to find employment in Syria, the project includes vocational training projects, small business grants, and direct non-strenuous work grants to help people earn a living again.

"I now earn $100 which is enough to cover the cost of bread, water, and the $50 rent for our house,” he says.

The Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal closed for donations in June 2024 but DEC funded programmes will continue until the end of July 2025. Some DEC charities are also continuing their work in Turkey and Syria longer term through their own appeals, including supporting people affected by multiple crises in Syria. 

*Names changed to protect identity