Islamic Relief responds as two devastating earthquakes hit Syria and Türkiye

ByIslamic Relief Worldwide

Islamic Relief responds as two devastating earthquakes hit Syria and Türkiye

Islamic Relief is launching a £20 million global appeal to support the teams on the ground in Syria and Türkiye as they respond to two devastating earthquakes that have caused widespread destruction and claimed over 1200 lives in both countries.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake and 7.5 earthquakes hit near the south-eastern Turkish cities of Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş, close to the border of northern Syria. Over 1200 deaths have already been confirmed, with many more trapped under rubble. Tremors were also felt in Cyprus, Egypt, and Lebanon.

Islamic Relief is already on the ground in both south-eastern Türkiye and north-western Syria. The organization will be providing cash vouchers to enable those worst affected in Türkiye to meet their immediate needs. In Syria, the priorities will be providing health and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics, as well as blankets and tents for those made homeless by the quake.

This is the worst earthquake to hit Türkiye in 20 years, and the worst to affect Syria for over a century. This is a developing situation and the death toll rising by the minute. Aftershocks could continue for days or weeks and continue to cause damage to the already fragile infrastructure in Syria.