Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to launch Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal
Thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools, have collapsed and infrastructure has been badly damaged. Local responders are searching through the rubble for survivors.
Many people have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions, with humanitarian needs expected to grow in the coming days. Access to clean water is likely to be a challenge, bringing the risk of waterborne diseases. There was already an outbreak of cholera in north-west Syria before the earthquake.
The first earthquake struck without warning in the early hours as people slept. In Turkey, tens of thousands of people have been injured. According to the Turkish government, 380,000 people have sought refuge in government shelters or hotels.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) will launch an appeal tomorrow (Thurs 9 February) to raise urgent funds to help people affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria which have killed more than 11,000 people and injured many more.
Buildings also collapsed in north-west Syria where many people have fled from conflict in the country and medical facilities are limited. Aid workers say displaced people living in tents are hosting families whose homes have been destroyed.
DEC charities and their local partners are among the first responders, working with locally-led relief efforts. Immediate priorities are medical treatment for the injured, shelter for those who have lost their homes, as well as blankets, warm clothes and heaters for safe spaces. They are also ensuring people have enough food and clean water.
The DEC brings together 15 leading aid charities at times of crisis overseas. Fourteen of these are responding in Turkey and Syria including British Red Cross, ActionAid and Save the Children.
Appeals to raise funds to support this work will be broadcast on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky today (9 February) following the evening news. BBC radio appeals will be broadcast throughout the day.
The DEC will hold a virtual press conference tomorrow (9 February) at 11.15am where DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed will be joined by spokespeople and aid workers on the ground.
Saleh Saeed said: “The devastation in Turkey and Syria is heartbreaking, with thousands of people losing loved ones suddenly in the most shocking of ways.
“In Turkey alone, 6,000 buildings including schools and health centres have collapsed, with infrastructure vital to everyday life such as sanitation and water supplies badly damaged.
“Funds are urgently needed to support families with medical aid, emergency shelter, food and clean water in freezing, snowy conditions. Fourteen of our member charities are responding now in Turkey and Syria and can do more with your help.
“Of course, we know that money is tight for many people here in the UK as the cost-of-living crisis continues, but if you can, please do donate to support people caught up in this deadly disaster.”
Salah Aboulgasem, Deputy Director of Partner Development at Islamic Relief, based in Gazientep, Turkey, said: “The priority right now is saving lives by clearing the rubble. The next priority is supporting people who have lost their homes and gone through huge trauma. People need medicines and warmth. There is a lot of screaming, people are trying to find relatives.
“A lot of people are sleeping in cars because they are scared to go back into the buildings due to aftershocks. The cars are freezing cold.
Islamic Relief have lots of local staff and a well-established programme in the area, they are working with mosques and schools to open shelters.”
The UK Government will match the first £2 million of donations from the British public to the DEC’s Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal to provide vital humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people affected by the disaster. This is part of a wider package of support from the UK Government and is in addition to ongoing UK Aid support in Syria and Turkey.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “When disasters like these terrible earthquakes strike, we know the British people want to help. They have shown time and again that few are more generous and compassionate.
“That is why we are match funding public donations to DEC’s appeal to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, as part of a wider package of support from the UK that will be used to provide life-saving interventions to those who need it most in the region.”
For more information, please visit the DEC website
Stay up to date with developments in Turkey and Syria, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on Twitter or on Facebook.
Notes to editors:
Media enquiries please call 020 7387 0200 or 07734 653616 (out of hours).
Press conference: Thursday 9 February 2022, 11:15. If you plan to join the press conference please RSVP to: pressofficemanager@dec.org.uk
You can join the press conference remotely on this link: https://odi-org.zoom.us/j/81939760163?pwd=OVZ1cGwyOElMN1QyQnNUV0dpZVJhQT09 Passcode: 792126
Interview requests: Panellists will be available at the end of the press conference for individual interviews. For more information or to request interviews in advance please contact: pressofficemanager@dec.org.uk
A collection of images and video footage of the aftermath of the earthquake and DEC charities responding is available here.
About the DEC: The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.
Fourteen of the DEC’s 15 members are either responding or planning to respond in Turkey and Syria and will receive funds from this appeal. Some may work through trusted local partners. They are Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.
Through UK Aid Match the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) gives the British public the opportunity to have a say in how the UK aid budget is spent whilst boosting the impact of the very best British charities to change and save the lives of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
UK Aid Match has increased the impact of a number of DEC appeals to help those in need around the world, including most recently Pakistan Floods Appeal and Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, both in 2022. The UK matched up to £25 million of public donations to DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal - the largest commitment ever made to a DEC appeal through UK Aid Match.
Enquiries about UK Aid Match and UK Government support for Turkey/Syria should be directed to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Newsdesk. Please email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk.
How to donate:
Online: dec.org.uk
Phone: 0370 60 60 610
Text to give/SMS: for press releases: text SUPPORT to 70787 to donate £10. Other partners should use the specific text codes they have been provided with by the DEC.
Donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque by post to: DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.
