February 9, 2023 News

Caritas Czech Republic helps people affected by the earthquake to provide basic needs

A catastrophic earthquake struck south-eastern Turkey and north-western Syria on the 6th of February. Caritas Czech Republic released money from its emergency fund and launched a collection to help the affected people. The funds are already helping people in Turkey and Syria with basic needs.

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The situation is critical

South-eastern Turkey and north-western Syria were hit by a series of earthquakes on Monday. The tremors have claimed thousands of lives and injured tens of thousands people. The World Health Organisation estimates that up to 23 million people have been affected.  The area is home to millions of refugees and displaced people who were already dependent on humanitarian aid before the earthquake. Experts are therefore warning of a widespread humanitarian disaster.

"The situation on the ground is critical. Moreover, rescue operations are significantly complicated by the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall," says our colleague Irena Menšíková from Turkey. The freezing temperatures reduces chances of survival for those trapped under the rubble of buildings. Survivors are taking refuge in public buildings such as schools and mosques for the night. Some of them are afraid of another building collapes and prefer spending the night outside in the cold or in their cars. The shortage of food, drink, medicine and warm clothing further complicates the situation.

We are providing immediate humanitarian assistance to survivors

Caritas Czech Republic has partner organizations in the affected areas with whom we have been helping people displaced by the war in Syria. Thanks to this cooperation and financial donations from the Caritas for Turkey and Syria collection, we are directly involved in helping people affected by the earthquake. Our colleague Muhammed Hammady also arrived on site to help coordinate our aid. Together with our partners, we are providing immediate humanitarian assistance in Turkey and Syria. These include the distribution of food and hygiene packages, drinking water and winter clothing. We also provide safe shelter for those who have lost their homes, as well as mattresses, blankets and other basic needs.

Humanitarian aid is heading to both Turkey and Syria to help the most vulnerable. In Syria, in particular, the situation is even worse because the affected area has become a temporary refuge for millions of people displaced by the war. These people are already living in very makeshift conditions. Part of the affected Syrian territory is under the control of the rebel forces, and the local authorities do not have heavy machinery at their disposal. So it takes longer to get people out. The people of the rebel-held territory do not have sufficient support from the central government. They are dependent on the help of local humanitarian organisations to cover the basic needs of life and subsequent reconstruction.

Caritas Network has also stepped in to help. Our colleagues are helping the affected people on the street. They provide them with safe shelter and hot meals. They are also involved in coordinating aid with other organisations.

The people affected also need longer-term help as soon as possible. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their roofs and need to be provided with permanent decent shelter as soon as possible. That is why our partners on the ground are already identifying suitable locations where these new settlements could be built.

Thank you to everyone who has chosen to help the people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.