Turkey-Syria earthquake: What does humanitarian aid look like in 2023?
The Turkish Red Crescent provide blankets to people affected by the earthquake. Credit: Turkish Red Crescent
Since two devastating earthquakes hit southern Turkey (now known as Türkiye) and north-west Syria in the early hours of 6 February, DEC charities and their local partners have been responding, providing urgent help to people affected.
In the wake of the disaster, there has been some surprise at a lack of visible international aid workers and questions over aid being flown over from the UK. Madara Hettiarachchi, the DEC's Director of Programmes and Accountability, explains why this is and what humanitarian aid looks like in 2023.
Why do we no longer see as many international aid workers on the ground?
Ten to 15 years ago, you would see a lot more UK-based teams packing up and deploying to areas impacted by humanitarian crisis.
However, over time charities have established trusted networks of local staff and partners who support on the ground. As a result, it is no longer practical for a mass number of international workers to be deployed into affected areas.
In Syria for example, our 14 DEC charities and their local partners have been responding to the conflict over the past 12 years and are now deeply familiar with the region, making them best placed to provide aid there.
Apart from a few specialist teams such as search and rescue, we no longer live in a time where we have to fly international aid workers to affected regions or transport stock from the UK. The world is interconnected. We know people who were having holiday in Turkey, we have friends in Syria. It’s so important for us to stand in solidarity with people who are suffering at all costs.
When it comes to aid itself and other materials, are they sent directly from the UK to the affected areas such as Turkey and Syria?
Aid charities used to send the materials directly from the UK to countries in need, but they now pre-position stocks in warehouses across the world. This makes more sense when delivering aid rapidly, as they can deliver supplies from warehouses situated close to affected locations, facilitating faster response times.
The whole process is more cost-effective and means we can deliver more immediate support. If the UK teams were to provide stock and organise the logistics, it would take considerably more manpower and time to identify and sort supplies.
When donating to the DEC and our member charities from the UK, the best course of action is to give cash donations, as these will go directly to our charities and their local partners. Financial contributions allow them to acquire items based on what people need at that moment and support the local economy at a time of crisis.
Aid workers delivering water to people affected by the earthquake. Credit: Rami Sabbagh
How can DEC be sure that aid is reaching the people who really need it the most?
DEC charities have a great network of local partners in the regions they operate, with a strong record of delivering aid to populations affected by humanitarian crises.
Our local partners carry out Rapid Needs Assessments to determine the most urgent needs. This might include delivering essentials like food, water and shelter, but also offering other forms of emergency support such as water sanitation. All our actions are informed by this data to ensure our aid is reaching those who need it the most.
We have a system of due diligence mechanisms in place so that we can audit the work of our local partners and make sure they follow strict humanitarian standards. We also have a robust reporting system to verify that aid is not only being delivered to those who need it the most but that it is being delivered appropriately to the community.
When working with local charities and NGOs in conflict affected areas, how do you ensure impartiality?
We are in ongoing conversations with local charities in the conflict areas to ensure our local staff and partners understand the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence.
We have a system that ensures we are held true to our standards and principles while collaborating with other UN aid agencies and charities’ affiliations, local communities, and government in affected areas.
We coordinate by making sure that local staff are trained and understand these principles, monitoring systems, and reporting practises. This is then reviewed by third parties to ensure impartiality in the work we are doing.
Amal * sits with her son in front of a tent in Jenderes, Syria. Credit: Karam Al-Masri/DEC
How quickly can DEC charities get aid to people?
DEC aid agencies have strong networks of local partners on the ground in Turkey and Syria, helping to speed up response times. They were able to access to the warehouses and prepositioned stocks that could be delivered to the local community immediately following the earthquake.
Sometimes, local aid workers will be there as a disaster unfolds and will be among the first responders. In general, most of our aid agencies will have local staff and stocks on the ground which can deliver aid within 24-48 hours. DEC charities can start using donations to our appeals straight away, and donations are already making a difference on the ground in Turkey and Syria.
How does the DEC decide what aid is required?
The DEC’s 15 member charities have been responding to the world’s worst humanitarian crises for many decades, and have extensive experience dealing with many different types of crises.
DEC charities and their local partners are deeply rooted in local communities. Working with existing structures, they’re able to gain understanding of peoples needs and provide support to the people most at risk. In times of crisis, DEC charities coordinate with UN, WHO and other humanitarian bodies to ensure the aid delivery is coordinated and complementary.
This year, aid is going to be largely led by grassroot organisations and local charity partners working alongside UN agencies, getting people what they need including money, other essentials like food, clothes, blankets, heaters, and psychosocial support.
