Global Highlights:
· At least 317 aftershocks have been reported since the 7.7 magnitude earthquake first impacted Türkiye and northern Syria on February 6th.
· The Iranian Red Crescent Society has dispatched six rapid search and rescue teams to support both Türkiye and Syria.
Türkiye Highlights:
· The government is reporting at least 3,432 fatalities and 21,103 injuries. These numbers though are expected to rise.
· In the affected provinces 50% of the populations are refugees.
· At least 5,775 buildings have reportedly collapsed throughout the country.
· A total of 25,693 search and rescue workers, 360 vehicles and 3,361 construction equipment have been deployed to the affected areas.
· The government has reported that about 8,000 people have already been rescued in the affected areas.
· Military Missions:
o A total of 54 aircraft have been deployed and has flown 154 missions.
o A total of 10 ships (Naval and Coast Guard) have been deployed to deliver relief supplies and personnel.
· Mass Care:
o The Türkiye Red Crescent is relying on military support to deliver supplies to affected areas due to damage to transportation networks.
o A total of 300,000 blankets, 54,511 medical tents, 102,254 beds, 4,602 kitchen kits, 3,761 heaters and 747 tents were deployed to the affected areas.
o The Ministry of Youth and Sports is sheltering 48,416 people in dormitories. A total of 34,084 beds are still available.
· Airport Update:
o The Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakır, Adıyaman airports are open to air traffic.
o Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa airports are only open to relief flights.
o The Kahramanmaraş and Hatay airports are closed due to the damage.
· International Support:
o The Türkiye government is reporting that a total of 2,769 teams from 65 countries have contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to offer assistance.
o The European Union has offered 25 search and rescue teams and two medical teams. A total of 1,155 rescuers and 72 search dogs have already arrived.
o A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team has been deployed and is expected to arrive on February 8th.
o The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre is coordinating the deployment of resources and personnel from NATO member states:
ü This includes the deployment of 1,400 response personnel from more than 20 NATO allies and partners.
o U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Update:
ü A Disaster Assistance Response Team has been deployed to coordinate response efforts.
ü Two Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces (VA1 & CA1) have deployed with 161 members, 12 search dogs and 170,00 pounds of equipment.
Syrian Highlights:
· There are now more than 1,500 fatalities and 3,000 injuries. These numbers are expected to increase.
· More than 500 buildings have been partially damaged and 200 were destroyed.
· Preliminary assessments indicate that the sub-districts of Harim, Atmeh, Sarmada, Atareb, and Kafr Takharim are among the worst hit areas.
· Response Operations Update:
o The response capacity in northwest Syria is particularly dire as community-based rescue teams are fully occupied in search and rescue missions. It is estimated that only 5% of the needs for search and rescue operations is currently being covered.
o The lack of heavy machines to remove rubble and bad weather conditions complicate efforts.
o However, Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) reported that they rescued a man in Salgin who was buried under a collapsed building for 24-hours.
· The Syrian Red Crescent has received 130 relief supplies from the Iranian and Iraqi Red Crescents.
· Healthcare and Public Health Update:
o The urgent medical need in hospitals includes serums, gauze bandages, painkillers, medical plaster, and blood bags.
o Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) is continuing to provide essential medical services to survivors over the last 36 hours.
o SAMS has received supplies and assistance from Direct Relief and the Schooner Foundation.
· International Support:
o Today, 4.6 million people live in the north-west of Syria of whom close to 90% rely on humanitarian assistance to meet their most basic needs.
o The UN Relief and Works Agency is reporting that about 90% of the 438,000 Palestinian refugees in Syria require humanitarian assistance because of the earthquakes.
o USAID has reached out to the Syrian Civil Defense on how best to get assistance to their teams on the ground.
o The UN cross-border response, authorized by the UN Security Council, has served as a humanitarian lifeline in this region:
ü The Bab Al-Hawa border crossing is the single remaining border crossing authorized by the Security Council for UN aid delivery. However, road conditions are impaired, and the response is temporarily disrupted.
ü The UN and their partners are currently exploring other routes and conducting feasibility assessments.
o The UNs pre-positioned aid is accessible in northwest Syria but it fails to meet the needs of affected people. However, available relief supplies are being deployed to address the immediate needs of survivors.
o The Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund, which allocated $138 million in 2022, is currently depleted and requires donors to further support 2023 activities with a focus on the earthquake response.
o A $25 million grant was released by UN Central Emergency Response Fund to help kick-start the earthquake response.
· The Syrian Oil Ministry reports that the Baniyas oil refinery was shut down due to damage sustained after the earthquake.
Cultural Heritage Highlights:
· The UN Educational, Scientific and Educational Organization (UNESCO) is working with its partners and national authorities to conduct an initial survey of damages to cultural heritages sites. Initial reports of damage include:
o Damage reported in Aleppo includes the National Museum, the citadel, and the western tower of the old city wall.
o Significant damage reported to the Gaziantep Castle and the Şirvani Mosque in Türkiye.
o There are reports of damage to Orthodox churches in Mersin, Arsuz, and İskenderun in Hatay Province, including the Church of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, the Annunciation Church, and the Armenian Church of the Forty Children.
Sources:
· Syrian Arab Republic - Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) Coordinated Response Flash Update #2 - Earthquake (As of 7 February 2023)
· AFAD Press Bulletin about the Earthquake in Kahramanmaraş - 10
· Earthquake: Türkiye and north-west Syria Flash Update No. 2 As of 7 February 2023
· NATO Allies and partners come to Türkiye’s aid following devastating earthquakes
· Türkiye, Syria quake latest: full scale of disaster still unfolding, UN humanitarians warn
· Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Authority Twitter Page
· OCHA North-West Syria: Situation Report (6 February 2023)
· UNOCHA Twitter Page
· IFRC Twitter Page
· IFRC Middle East and North Africa Twitter Page
· Türkiye Red Crescent Twitter Page
· Syrian Red Crescent Twitter Page
· Syrian Civil Defense Twitter Page
· Syrian Emergency Task Force Twitter Page
· Syrian American Medical Society Twitter Page
· USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance Facebook Page
· UNESCO Twitter Page
· World Monuments Fund Twitter Page
· Syria Public Health Network Twitter Page
Resources
ACAPS, TÜRKIYE AND SYRIA: Earthquakes in southeastern Türkiye and northwestern Syria (New)
Türkiye, Syria | Seismic activity of 6 February - DG ECHO Daily Map | 07/02/2023 (New)
Joint statement by the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Syria, El-Mostafa Benlamlih, and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, Muhannad Hadi, on the earthquake in Türkiye, Syria (New)
3 ways to support survivors of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria (New)
Monetary Donations
· Türkiye Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Earthquake Donation Accounts (New)
· Türkiye Red Crescent (New)
· Syrian American Medical Society (New)
· Syrian Civil Defense (New)
· Syrian Emergency Task Force (New)
· Save the Children (New)
· Islamic Relief USA (New)
· UN Crisis Relief, Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Appeal