Since 2011, Syria has faced a civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions from their homes. The people of Syria face a lack of basic needs and livelihoods. We are helping to mitigate the effects of the civil war in the country. We have been working in the Turkish-Syrian border region since 2013. We have provided humanitarian material aid and healthcare and helped provide people with decent housing in the Idlib region.

In February 2023, a devastating earthquake struck Syria and Turkey. This exacerbated the problematic situation of the people in the country and left them entirely dependent on humanitarian organisations to provide for their basic needs.

Humanitarian aid for earthquake victims

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we started to provide on-the-ground assistance in cooperation with our partner organisations. We provided basic material aid such as food, drinking water, hygiene kits, warm clothes, and blankets. We are also providing shelter, as well as building social facilities. In response to the earthquake, we have launched a fundraiser to help Turkey and Syria.

February 6, 2024 Caritas Czech Republic in Syria and Türkiye

We lost everything in the earthquake. I pray that things will get better, says Emine from Türkiye

Emine and her husband lived in an old house. When the earthquake struck Türkiye last February, their house collapsed within moments, trapping them both inside. "We couldn't get out. We were scared, we didn't want to die. We started praying for it to be over," Emine recalls while sitting outside a container in a makeshift town on the outskirts of Malatya, Türkiye. The earthquake took the lives of nearly 60,000 people, and millions more lost their homes. A year after the earthquake, Emine and her husband continue to live in a temporary shelter.

February 5, 2024 News

One year after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria: People are still trying to cope with the trauma, says Irena Menšíková from Caritas Czech Republic

One year has passed since the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria. It was a massive disaster from which, in particular, the affected areas are still recovering. The people affected by the earthquake are still dealing with the tragic consequences today. What is the situation in Turkey like one year on from the disaster? We talked to Irena Menšíková, Caritas Czech Republic employee, who has lived in the country for a long time.

February 2, 2024 Caritas Czech Republic in Syria and Türkiye

One year after the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria: Help is still needed. How is Caritas Czech Republic supporting the affected people?

When the devastating earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria in the early hours of 6 February last year, 48-year-old Songül lost everything in a matter of seconds. "Our house was completely destroyed in the earthquake. The tremors kept repeating. I hope we will never experience such fear and terror again," says Songül in the Turkish city of Malatya. The earthquake took the lives of nearly 60,000 people, and millions more lost their homes. A year after the earthquake, hundreds of thousands of people are still in temporary shelter and in need of help. How is Caritas Czech Republic supporting them?

January 4, 2024 All news

7 biggest achievements of Caritas Czech Republic in 2023

The past year was not an easy one. It was marked by devastating natural disasters and conflicts that affected the lives of millions of people. Caritas Czech Republic supported people in need in many places. Whether it was in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, in war-torn Ukraine, or in the reconstruction of post-war Iraq. Take a moment to look back at the past year with us and see what we have achieved thanks to your support.