HI responds as violent earthquake kills thousands in Turkey and Syria

A devastating earthquake for already weakened populations

The earthquake affected an area with a radius of about 400 km, located between southwestern Turkey and northwestern Syria where nearly 12 million people live. Several aftershocks from the earthquake still strongly shook the region in the following hours, some reaching magnitudes of 5 to 7 on the Richter scale.

Initial estimates currently stand at over 2,300 dead and more than 9,000 injured [1] in both countries. Many people are still trapped under the rubble and the number of casualties may still change as rescue and evacuation operations progress.

Critical infrastructure in both countries has also been affected. More than 1,700 buildings have already been destroyed in Turkey.

"Thousands of people have been injured. They have lost everything and are shocked by the terrible earthquake and the series of aftershocks this Monday in Turkey and Syria," explains Myriam Abord-Hugon, HI's Syria program director. "It is currently the winter season in these two countries and people are facing cold and bad weather after losing their homes and belongings. There is an urgent need to provide them with aid."

The populations in Syria were already very weakened by the recent violent fighting and a serious humanitarian crisis, the result of a war that has been going on for 12 years.

HI emergency response

Faced with this type of crisis, HI deploys its emergency teams to assist earthquake victims. HI teams will provide physical and functional rehabilitation services to people injured by the earthquake, so that they can regain mobility and avoid the development of long-term consequences.

"We expect a huge need for rehabilitation," says Myriam Abord-Hugon. "There are thousands of injured people and many of these injuries can worsen or turn into permanent disabilities if people do not receive appropriate rehabilitation services. In addition, survivors have suffered significant trauma and will need psychosocial support."

HI will also deploy psychosocial support activities to provide psychological first aid to those affected by the disaster. Individual support sessions will be provided and a mobile team will be sent to the affected region.

In addition, in order to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people, HI will ensure that people with disabilities and older people are at the heart of its response. HI will organise distributions of mobility aids (such as wheelchairs, canes or walkers) and will work with other NGOs to ensure that the specific needs of these people are taken into account.

HI is currently conducting on-site assessments to decide on a possible additional mobilisation, necessary to meet the immense needs of the population.

HI is present in the region since 2012

In May 2012, HI launched its response to the Syrian crisis by initiating operations in neighbouring countries - Lebanon and Jordan. The organisation then developed activities in the region from November 2012.

Today, HI carries out physical rehabilitation activities as well as psychosocial support to disabled and injured people. These activities include the provision of mobility aids and fitting services (prosthetics and orthotics).

Finally, HI conducts demining operations and manages risk awareness campaigns among the population to prevent accidents caused by explosive remnants of war.

[1]Figures on Monday 6 at 2 pm (UK Time)