THET statement on the Türkiye-Syria earthquake

A powerful earthquake devastated large areas of Türkiye and Syria yesterday, Monday 6 February. An initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake, with its epicentre in Kahramanmaras in Türkiye’s Gaziantep province, was followed by a second earthquake measuring 7.6 and a series of aftershocks. 

The earthquake was about 50km from the border of northwest Syria, where more than four million people reside, including more than 1.6 million internally displaced people in areas controlled by opposition groups. 

Thousands of people have lost their lives and are missing or trapped beneath buildings, with the WHO warning the death toll could rise eight-fold. 

Responding to the catastrophic twin earthquakes which struck Türkiye and Syria yesterday, THET’s Director of Programmes Louise McGrath said:  

We are horrified by the plight facing the people of Türkiye and Syria. Our sympathy and thoughts are with our  partners and friends in the region, many of whom have already faced years of unimaginable hardship due to the conflict in Syria. We stand in solidarity with you. 

For those who wish to donate to organisations providing emergency relief, please find appeals suggested by our partners working in the region listed below.  

Emergency appeals 

• Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM)
• The White Helmets 
• Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)  
• UK Med
• The White Helmets