THE SITUATION
Seventeen days have passed following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Syria and Türkiye on 6 February, impacting the governorates of Idlib, Aleppo, Lattakia, and Hama. Prior to the earthquake, 15.3 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance throughout the country.
On 20 February, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Turkey-Syria border region, resulting in additional destruction and causing further stress and anxiety to communities that have already suffered significant loss and trauma. These recurring earthquakes also underscore the severe vulnerability and risks in these hard-hit regions.
While casualty figures are increasing every day, more than 5,900 fatalities were reported across Syria as of February 12, most of which (more than 4,500) have been registered in the country’s north-west. Over 11,000 injured persons have also been reported.
Partners working in Syria are themselves survivors of the earthquake and have experienced losses on numerous levels — homes, family members, colleagues, and fellow community members. Despite unwavering commitment to the response, this has inevitably limited the ability of organisations to operate at full capacity.
Damaged health care facilities resulted in a lack of essential lifesaving obstetric and neonatal care services. This has impacted referrals for both normal and urgent deliveries and increased the risks of otherwise preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. Such emergencies may exacerbate the risk of complications due to premature births and miscarriages leading to an increase in demand for essential SRH services while there is reduced capacity to respond.
Many people are still traumatised and uncertain of their future. As one woman hosted in a shelter in Aleppo said, “I haven’t been able to sleep since the earthquake. I’m very scared of the next disaster. I’m not scared for myself, but for my children.”
Source: United Nations Population Fund