Over 50,000 people are reported to have been killed by the huge earthquakes that hit Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria.
Since 6 February 2023, Türkiye and Syria have endured three earthquakes; the first was a 7.7 magnitude, followed by 7.6 and 6.4 magnitude. The earthquakes have devastated communities in Türkiye and Syria, while millions of people across the region, including Lebanon, Israel, Cyprus, and Egypt, felt the tremors.
According to the latest information from authorities, more than 50,000 people are known to have been killed, including children, and tens of thousands more have been injured. The earthquakes have also left more than 850,000 children displaced after being forced from their homes. This comes as another devastating blow to Syria’s children who are enduring an ongoing war that is now in its twelfth year.
Across Türkiye and Syria, massive destruction to homes, buildings, and other infrastructure is widespread. Families have been displaced, exposing them to the elements at a time of year when temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Over 6.2 million children urgently need humanitarian assistance, including water, shelter, food and emergency medical and psychosocial assistance.
UNICEF teams are on the ground working with our partners to distribute critical health supplies, blankets, clothing, tents, safe drinking water and sanitation supplies. We are also providing safe spaces for children to play and recover from the traumatic events they have witnessed.
Please support us to reach the children affected by this disaster.
Updated: 8 March 2023
Syria and Türkiye Earthquake
UNICEF teams are on the ground, providing urgent assistance to children and families impacted by the devastating earthquake and 12 years of war.
Searching through the rubble
Rescue operations continue following the devastating earthquake in Türkiye. © UNICEF/UN0778549/Erok
Searching for survivors
People wait as rescue teams look for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. Photo credit: © UNICEF/UN0777953/AFP
Finding safety
Children and families gather at a convent in Aleppo for the night as the tremors continue. © UNICEF/UN0778264/Beshare/AFP
Finding safety
Children walk to safety, wrapped in blankets to protect themselves from the cold. Photo credit: © UNICEF/UN0778547/Erok
Crisis on top of crisis: 12 years of war in Syria
Children in Syria continue to face one of the most complex humanitarian situations in the world. A worsening economic crisis continued localised hostilities after more than a decade of conflict, mass displacement, and devastated public infrastructure have left two-thirds of the population in need of assistance. Food insecurity, reliance on unreliable and alternative water sources, protection concerns, and high school dropouts are acute.
Waterborne diseases pose another deadly threat to children and families affected. In Syria, a cholera outbreak declared on 10 September 2022 quickly spread across the country, with children especially vulnerable.
Before the earthquake, UNICEF required US$328.5 million to meet the needs of Syria’s children in 2023. Now, as our teams work to assess the situation, our funding need has become much higher.
"The numbers keep increasing. There is a sense of panic, including among children. Many people, including children, are displaced and remain outside in streets and open areas. The government in Syria closed schools and universities for today, and some are being used as shelters. The psychological impact on some people we met is grave."
How will my donation help children impacted by the Earthquake in Syria and Türkiye (Turkey)?
In Türkiye, UNICEF is providing desperately needed supplies and ensuring evacuation to safe spaces for children living in family homes in the affected areas. While in Syria, where the humanitarian needs are most urgent, we are rapidly mobilising supplies and services to support the urgent needs of children and families.
UNICEF has been on the ground in Syria for more than 50 years and Türkiye for more than 70 years. We are there for children before, during and after emergencies, ready to deliver urgent help where it is needed most. During this devastating time, we are working around the clock to protect the health and welfare of children.
- $95 could provide an emergency shelter kit for two families, helping to protect children and keep them warm and safe.
- $170 could provide two families with an emergency water and hygiene kit.
- $271 could help provide a School in a Box to help 40 students continue their education in an emergency.
- 82¢last year, 82 cents of every dollar donated went to our emergency response work in the field and helped us to be there for children before, during and after emergencies around the world.
- 18¢last year, 18 cents in every dollar were invested in raising public awareness; fundraising to grow our impact for children and in essential accountability and administration work.
How do we use each dollar donated?
If you choose to donate monthly, or in the unlikely event that UNICEF receives more funds than needed for this emergency response, your gift will help support UNICEF's work for children in need around the world.
Looking for other ways to support Syria & Türkiye children?
Syria and Türkiye Earthquake
UNICEF teams are on the ground, providing urgent assistance to children and families impacted by the devastating earthquake and 12 years of war.