Skip to main content
20230206 Earthquake, Idlib, Northwestern Syria

Türkiye and Syria earthquake response

War in Gaza:: find out how we're responding
Learn more
Powerful earthquakes hit the south of Türkiye and northwest Syria in February, resulting in over 59,000 deaths and many more injuries, as well as massive damage to infrastructure.

The consequences of the earthquakes have exacerbated the already precarious humanitarian situation for people in northwest Syria. Fifty-five medical facilities in Syria were damaged and several others have been completely destroyed, hindering their capacity to respond.

We have brought over 40 trucks of medical and non-medical items into northwest Syria and provided relief items to people most affected by the earthquakes. Following the acute phase, our focus shifted towards providing shelter, food and relief items, ensuring access to healthcare, as well as water and sanitation services.

More recently, we have started focusing on long-term strategic activities to ensure the continuity and sustainability of healthcare provision in northwest Syria. For this, we have started the construction of a new maternity centre in Jindires and rehabilitating three hospitals and general healthcare centres in Idlib. 

Our teams are also running recreational and psychological aid activities, especially for children, and are currently supporting a hospital in Idlib governorate to provide follow-up and reconstructive surgeries to people affected by the earthquakes.

Our teams in south Türkiye are conducting relief activities in collaboration with local partners through donations (providing over 38,000 hygiene kits, over 96 tons of fruits and vegetables and over 2.6 million litres of water). 

In addition, we have provided mental health and psychosocial support to people affected by the earthquakes. Our support also includes water and sanitation improvements, showers and toilet installation, amongst other services.

MSF response to the earthquakes in Syria (as of 30 April)

Filter Tips
  • Try a different country, year, format, or topic.
  • Clear one or more filters