In the first 3 months of the response, DEC charities in Syria provided:
Water
427,501 people were provided with access to safe drinking water through rehabilitation of water points, establishment of water stations, and water trucking.
One DEC member charity has improved access to safe water for 144,000 people by supplying generators and other materials to rehabilitate and repair critical water networks damaged by the earthquakes and providing safe drinking water through water trucking and the installation of 32 water tanks in affected areas.
Another DEC member charity has improved access to safe water supplies and adequate sanitation services for 39,200 people in 40 camps, as well as rehabilitating eight water pumping stations that serve more than 100,000 people.
Healthcare
48,260 people accessed improved health services such as mobile clinics, medical kits, and free medications.
One DEC member charity used a system of referral vehicles to provide a range of health support to people in areas affected by the earthquakes. In the days and weeks following the earthquakes, the project provided emergency health support to 3,585 people, including to 1,488 people in the first 12 days of the response.
Medicines and disposables (bandages, casts, syringes and other items used in emergency and surgical procedures) were also been distributed to eight health facilities, supporting 26,736 people, including 2,773 emergency cases.
Another DEC member charity supported its local partner to provide and equip seven mobile ambulances which were immediately operational to assist with rescue efforts, provide urgent medical care for injured people, and transport people to and from hospitals.
Shelter
1,227 Households provided with temporary shelter, for example in the form of tents.
As the earthquakes occurred amidst harsh winter conditions, DEC member charities have been assisting displaced families with temporary shelters, blankets and mattresses, warm clothes, and heating support.
One DEC member charity and its partners distributed 696 tents during February and March, supporting 3,890 people, and winterisation kits supporting 5,830 people. In addition to providing tents, one member charity also used DEC funds to build 331 ‘better shelter’ units – flat-pack single room temporary buildings that are more robust than tents.
With DEC funding, a further 1,500 New Arrival Kits – containing blankets, mattress, floor mat, tarpaulin, jerry can and solar lamp – were also procured and distributed. Heating support (stoves or fuel for stoves) was provided to 1,180 families, supporting a total of 6,350 individuals.
The humanitarian response in Turkey
The two earthquakes in southern Turkey directly impacted 9.1 million people with at least 50,000 people being killed. Three million people in Turkey were displaced to other parts of the country as more than 298,000 buildings were severely damaged or destroyed.
While government-led efforts are underway to move people to formal settlements, in May 2023 an estimated 1.6 million people are still living in informal settlements often close to destroyed or damaged houses.
The need for humanitarian support to the most vulnerable people remains urgent, particularly in the informal camps. NGOs and government entities continue to play a crucial role in providing support to these areas.