Two weeks since the devastating earthquake hit southern Turkiye, the immense scale of its impact on communities across Turkiye and Syria is becoming clearer. The existing humanitarian needs in northwest Syria in particular have been exacerbated by the earthquake, reaching critical levels the IRC is warning.
An assessment carried out by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in the governorates of Idleb and Aleppo in the northwest of Syria, shows the dire situation many Syrians are facing. The assessment highlights the priority needs of communities affected by the earthquake and the most effective ways of providing humanitarian assistance.
All households, which were assessed, reported that their ability to generate income has worsened as a result of the earthquake. Needs are becoming critical, with 3 out of 4 households reporting insufficient access to food. The majority of those IRC surveyed cited a lack of finances as their greatest barrier to meeting priority needs like food, clothing, and household supplies.
The resulting financial strain on households has also had an impact on their ability to access vital services such as health care. More than 70% of respondents said that money was the main barrier for family members to access health care. The distance was another barrier, on average respondents reported that it takes around two and a half hours to reach health facilities. Of major concern was also the fact that nearly one-third of respondents stated that they have no access to a health facility at all. This demonstrates a clear need for increased health care provision at this time, which is flexible and mobile, to be able to reach those in need as quickly as possible.
Tanya Evans, Syria Country Director for IRC says: “People in northwest Syria were already in a dire situation, even before this earthquake. Not only do these needs still exist, but our assessment shows that they have clearly been made much worse by this devastating earthquake. Household finances were heavily impacted with nearly 90% of people surveyed stating that they had to borrow money due to the earthquake. Based on the needs we have witnessed on the ground, the IRC has prioritized cash distributions to ensure households are able to meet their basic needs. So far we have reached more than 7,000 people. In response to the assessment, particularly the barriers and distance to accessing health care, our mobile health clinics have been expanded and are currently treating an average of 200 people per day and providing a key lifeline to those who are facing difficulties in accessing health care. With our partners, we are also providing essential medical support through 17 healthcare facilities, including two hospitals, which serve around 2.5 million people.”
Hamed, Economic, Recovery, and Development Implementation Manager at the IRC in Syria says: “People have gone back to how it was years before, in need of shelter, financial support, psychological assistance, and livelihoods to restart their life. The area affected by the earthquake was already home to large populations of internally displaced persons. Now we need to ensure that those previously displaced by conflict, plus people newly displaced by this disaster receive much-needed assistance. Providing cash is one way to help cover the urgent needs and help these people get back on their feet.”
The IRC is calling on the international community to increase funding to help people survive, recover and rebuild their lives. It is critical that aid gets to the most impacted areas and reaches people in need wherever they are and by any means possible, especially in northwest Syria, where communities are at greater risk of being left behind.
