Overview of Developments
The earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria on 6 February 2023 heavily impacted north-west Syria (NWS), a region where 4.1 million people depend on humanitarian assistance, the majority of whom are women and children. Over 4,500 deaths and 8,500 injuries have been reported according to the Health cluster, mainly in the districts of Harim, Afrin and Jebel Saman, with numbers expected to rise. The earthquakes have affected at least 96 communities and 35 sub-districts in NWS; more than 10,000 buildings have been partially or completely destroyed, leaving over 11,000 people homeless.
On 20 February, the Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund (SCHF) launched the first phase of its Reserve Allocation, valued at $30 million, to address immediate life-saving needs. Once this allocation is completed, a second phase, valued at least $20 million, will be launched to address life-sustaining needs in the medium term.
On 22 February, artillery shelling affected Tuffahiyeh, Kansafra and Bara communities in Idleb; Kafr Amma and Tadaf communities in Aleppo; Kherbet Elnaqus community in western Hama; Lower Barzah community in northern Lattakia. Two men were reportedly killed as a result of the shelling on Lower Barzah community in northern Lattakia.
Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees