2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake

As with most disasters and emergencies, cash donations are recommended by disaster experts as they allow for on-the-ground agencies to direct funds to the most significant area of need, support economic recovery and ensure donation management does not detract from disaster recovery needs and quickly re-establishing access to basic needs.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy recommends cash both as a donation method and a recovery strategy. Direct cash assistance can allow families to purchase items and services that address their multiple needs. It gives each family flexibility and choice, ensuring that support is relevant and timely. Cash-based approaches to disaster recovery also give people the freedom to choose how they rebuild their lives and provide a pathway to economic empowerment.

In the Syria earthquake Flash Appeal launched by the UN and humanitarian partners, one of the three strategic objectives was to “support livelihoods and basic services in areas affected by the earthquake.”

In addition to cash assistance, strengthening livelihoods is important, considering Syrian households have gradually lost their purchasing power while food prices have almost doubled since before the earthquake.

The earthquake affected internally displaced people and created new displacements, which changed people’s way of life, perhaps including loss of livelihood, extreme poverty and damaged social support structure. Because of the ongoing conflict, displaced Syrians also may have had post-traumatic stress disorder.

The number of people with mental health conditions was expected to increase post-earthquake while also limiting access for many people in need to the already scarcely available mental health services in Syria. According to UNOCHA, in northwest Syria, 994,500 persons have a mental disorder, and 229,500 have severe mental disorders. However, only 24 psychologists were available in the area.

Survivors of the deadly earthquakes are forced to deal with lasting trauma. In northwest Syria, psychological first aid, case management and safe service points were overwhelmed with rising needs.

After a disaster, protecting marginalized individuals and ensuring access to their basic rights are immediate priorities. 

According to UNOCHA, “Gender inequality exacerbates the impact of disasters, and the impacts of disasters exacerbate gender inequality and vulnerability. Of particular concern are vulnerable women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities who are disproportionally affected.”

Due to the layout and population density of some settlement sites, women and girls face increased protection risk of exploitation and abuse. In many of such sites, a lack of sex-segregated toilets, overcrowding, and an absence of privacy in water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and tent areas, led to an increase in sexual violence risks, particularly against women and adolescent girls.      

CARE, a humanitarian organization, released a Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) Brief for the earthquake. The RGA “explores existing gender, age and disability data and information to understand pre-existing vulnerabilities and capacities and how best humanitarians can respond to meet people’s different needs.” Recommendations to humanitarian actors, international non-government organizations and AFAD include:

• Collaborate with relevant local and national actors, including women-led organizations and women’s rights organizations who are often leading GBV prevention and response efforts. Assess sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment risk factors and integrate these into program planning and ensure all stakeholders have been informed about services and referral pathways.

A report published by HelpAge International and Action for Humanity in February 2024 revealed that exclusion from the workforce leaves older people marginalized and older people with disabilities struggle to earn respect or recognition. Older people emphasized the need to prioritize initiatives that promote their self-reliance.

Organizations led by and serving LGBTQIA+ people in Turkey and northwest Syria face operational challenges and most operate and provide assistance through formal and informal networks. LGBTQIA+ people in these contexts face discrimination and are often unable or unwilling to seek assistance or are actively excluded from receiving assistance.

There was a significant increase in racism against refugees in Turkey, affecting their ability to access and receive assistance and also negatively impacting tasks such as obtaining bank accounts and credit, dealing with suppliers, and children facing racism and verbal and physical violence in schools.

The significant damage to community infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, religious facilities, and housing in Turkey and Syria, will require immediate and long-term assistance.

The Turkey Earthquakes Recovery and Reconstruction Assessment outlined a set of key principles “to ensure that the recovery from the earthquake is resilient, inclusive, green and sustainable.”

In February 2024, IFRC and the Shelter Cluster released a lessons learned report from the earthquake response. It is projected that many of the earthquake-affected population will continue to live in temporary shelters for the next three to four years, until they have more permanent options available. The report’s recommendations include improving the livability in temporary shelters, focusing on light repairs of low-damaged buildings, improving the participation of local organizations and ensuring protection concerns are addressed.