Emergency
Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria
On February 6, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks rocked southeastern Türkiye and northern Syria. The death toll has already reached 21,000 people and is growing.
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The Situation
This page is being updated as the situation evolves.
On Monday February 6, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks rocked southeastern Türkiye (Turkey) and northern Syria. At the time of publication, the death toll has already reached 21,000 people and is growing.
Survivors who have been forced to flee their homes are now facing freezing temperatures. Infrastructure is heavily damaged, and we know that means people will struggle to find safe shelter, water and food.
Impacts and humanitarian needs in Türkiye:
- At least 21,000 deaths and 70,000 injuries have been confirmed by the Government of Türkiye.
- Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep are among the most impacted provinces.
- At least 2,818 buildings have reportedly collapsed in the country.
Impacts and humanitarian needs in Syria:
- According to local authorities, at least 3,300 deaths and 5,000 injured people have been reported in north-west Syria. The numbers are expected to continue to climb.
- At least 325 buildings have been partially damaged and 224 were completely destroyed in 17 subdistricts.
- Preliminary assessments indicate that the sub-districts of Harim, Atmeh, Sarmada, Atareb, and Kafr Takharim are among the worst hit areas
Meryem Aslan, Oxfam spokesperson in Ankara, said: “The scale of destruction is vast. Following two big earthquakes and over 60 aftershocks, people are still in shock and fear, they don’t even have time to mourn the lost ones.” She managed to reach family and friends in affected areas by phone – thankful they were alive and well – but many buildings and home were now rubble, she said.
Oxfam KEDV, the Oxfam affiliate in Türkiye, has partnerships with around 80 women’s cooperatives in ten Turkish provinces most affected by the quake and is currently working with them to respond to the situation. An Oxfam team traveled to affected areas on Tuesday, February 7, to conduct assessments, as part of the official National Disaster Response Platform.
“It is a double tragedy for survivors having to cope too with the cold and who will be unable to sleep outside. It is horrifying to contemplate how people will even be able to cope, given that some areas are even now in snow,” said Aslan.
What is Oxfam Doing?
Oxfam and partner organizations are working tirelessly to support the people affected by these devastating earthquakes in the immediate and eventually in the longer-term.
Oxfam's affiliate in Türkiye, Oxfam KEDV, is working with local partners — around 80 women's cooperatives in 10 Turkish provinces most affected by the quake. An Oxfam team travelled on Tuesday, February 7, to affected areas to conduct assessments as part of Türkiye's official National Disaster Response Platform.
The short-term response will include water, sanitation services, shelter, and food delivery. Oxfam and local partners are looking ahead to support rehabilitation and reconstruction in the long-term.
Oxfam has been working in Syria for more than 30 years. Since the civil war erupted in 2011, the needs haven't changed — people need shelter, water, non-food items, medical support. But the earthquakes have changed the scale dramatically.
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