On February 6, a powerful earthquake hit southern Turkiye and northern Syria, causing widespread destruction and leaving many families struggling to recover.
Oxfam KEDV has been working with women’s cooperatives in some of the worst impacted provinces in Turkiye to help provide support to survivors.
The impact of the Turkiye-Syria Earthquake
As of 13 March 2023, 48,448 people have lost their lives in the two powerful earthquakes. 230,000 buildings have either collapsed or are heavily damaged, it is estimated that more than 3.6 M people have been displaced in Turkiye by the earthquake.
The survivors who have been forced to flee their homes are now facing freezing temperatures and heavy rains have led to flooding and worsening conditions.
Many of the smaller informal camps do not have access to adequate toilets, showers and clean water for cooking and cleaning. This has led to an increase of diseases like scabies and diarrhoea.
In Syria, a cholera outbreak that began last year is at risk of spiralling out of control.
Women are leading Oxfam KEDV’s Response
Community kitchens were established in cities including Gaziantep and were staffed by women, who were all affected by the earthquake themselves.
Oxfam KEDV’s Neighborhood Leaders helped to distribute cooked meals prepared by members of the Matiya Women’s Cooperative in the Nahıl Guesthouse (which operates as a KEDV social enterprise) for survivors of the disaster.
There has been a wonderful and beautiful solidarity. We come and cook hot meals every day, and we distribute them to the people in tents in our area. We’ve always stood side by side.
Zukka
They also worked together to pack and deliver cleaning and hygiene kits to earthquake-affected areas. Together, they have provided approximately 750 meals per day to community members. Some survivors were also given shelter for a time at the guesthouse.
Oxfam KEDV is committed to supporting its dozens of women’s cooperative partners in the ways that are most useful for them as they recover from this disaster.
Şengül Akçar, Oxfam KEDV Executive Director said:
“It is key that donors support an inclusive response. Women need to be at the forefront of recovery efforts, to be supported to empower themselves by engaging with small business and employment opportunities, and to feel safe. We cannot risk gender equality being wound back.”
Turkiye-Syria Earthquake: Pledges come at a make-or-break moment
In response to the EU’s donor conference for Turkiye and Syria earthquakes, at with a total of 7 billion euro was pledged, Oxfam calls on the international community to leave no one behind in providing aid to the communities affected.
Şengül Akçar, Oxfam KEDV Executive Director said:
“The pledges come at a make-or-break moment. Torrential floods in recent days have swept away temporary accommodations and flooded tents, bringing more despair for the survivors of the earthquake and the risk of disease outbreak.
As we reach the 50-day mark since the quake, the international community needs to deliver on the pledges promised to prevent a double tragedy so every person affected can rebuild their lives.
Support Turkiye and Syria to recover and rebuild
Communities with no running water, no electricity and no proper sanitation are fearful for their safety. To prevent the spread of disease, Oxfam teams are working in affected areas providing families with lifesaving essentials.
The most pressing needs continue to be shelter, WASH, food, safety, age-appropriate clothing for children and elderly and psychosocial support.
Together, with your support, we can provide 2 million people with the basics they need to survive the aftermath of this earthquake.
