It has been six months since the deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria devastated children and families.
Over 4 million children have had their lives disrupted apart by the destruction, but through the heartbreak comes hope, and it’s all thanks to the ongoing support of people like you.
See the resilience of children from Türkiye and Syria below as UNICEF continues to be there for every child impacted by the earthquake, no matter what.
After the disaster
A few hours after midnight on 6 February 2023, this family fled their home in northern Syria as a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit their city. When they returned the next morning, the place they once called home was reduced to nothing but rubble.
In Türkiye, a children's playground stands as a symbol of hope amongst destruction and collapsed buildings.
UNICEF is always there
Four-year-old Hamzeh is screened by UNICEF-supported health worker, Hiba, for malnutrition in northern Syria. UNICEF has deployed mobile health and nutrition teams to provide essential services and supplies to those in need, including those who have taken refuge in shelters.
"It’s not easy! I feel that I’m never sure what tomorrow will bring. Uncertainty is everywhere, but we keep going to support the people who need us."
Children and families fill jerrycans with clean water at a distribution point in Aleppo city, in Syria. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, UNICEF has ensured access to safe and clean drinking water in Syria and Türkiye after water and pumping stations were disrupted by the earthquakes.
Processing grief
16-year-old Mohamed plays the Buzuq, a traditional Kurdish music instrument in memory of his fellow music student Jana. He is performing on a balcony overlooking his destroyed hometown in Syria, offering a moment of reflection and resilience amidst the destruction.
Finding community and shelter
In north west Syria, two cousins support each other as they explore their new temporary home at a camp for families displaced by the earthquakes.
Six-year-old Judi carries her new clothing, after losing all her belongings in the earthquakes. As part of the emergency response, UNICEF has distributed winter clothes, blankets and hygiene kits to children and families impacted by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.
Recovering education
“I drew the earthquake, and then I drew flowers,” said four-year-old Masa, during a UNICEF-supported early childhood education class in a temporary tent classroom in Syria.
For younger children in Syria, UNICEF is providing pre-primary early childhood education to help them develop the skills to succeed in school and cope with the difficult situation they have gone through.
In Türkiye we are reaching young people, like these friends exiting a UNICEF-supported temporary learning space, with activities such as catch-up classes and exams preparation to help make up for missed learning and restore a sense of stability.
A space for children to be children
A child protection mobile team and volunteers organise a game of tug-of-war with children in a shelter in Aleppo city, Syria.
Children playing at a child friendly space in Gaziantep, Türkiye. Child-friendly spaces offer a secure setting where children can be children. These spaces also offer essential health services like vaccinations and malnutrition screenings and help to protect children from exploitation in crisis situations.
Hope for the future
In Syria, 13-year-old Maysaa and her sister pose with a drawing they made earlier that day in a shelter where they live. Despite experiencing so much loss at a young age, Maysaa cares deeply for her sister, her friends and has shown great strength through adversity.
"I would like to say to the children of Syria, don’t be scared and hopefully we pass through this crisis safely. I only ask to have our childhood."
Little ones in Türkiye spread a message of love and hope for a brighter future.
UNICEF is always there for children before, during and after a disaster strikes.
Help us to keep providing support and hope to children and families still dealing with the aftermath of crisis in Syria and Türkiye.
Syria & Türkiye Earthquake
UNICEF is on the ground, providing urgent assistance to families impacted by the devastating earthquake and 12 years of war.
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