Turkey and Syria earthquake

People stand beside the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, on February 7, 2023, a day after a 7,8-magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey.

[7.8 out of 10](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000jllz/executive) on the moment magnitude scale. That means a magnitude 7.8 actually releases around [16,000 times more energy](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/education/calculator.php) than the more moderate magnitude 5 earthquakes that might usually happen in the region. The first was a 6.7 which happened only 11 minutes after the first shock, and there have been hundreds of smaller magnitude aftershocks. The second, magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred further to the north on a different but adjacent fault system: the Sürgü Fault. While this area has many earthquakes every year caused by the ongoing motion of the tectonic plates, Monday’s earthquake is particularly large and devastating as so much energy was released. These can continue for days to years after the initial event. Arabia is moving northwards into Europe, causing the Anatolian plate (which Turkey sits on) to be pushed out westwards. It is the sudden release of this pressure that causes earthquakes and ground shaking. [By SAM KIPLAGAT](/bd/economy/court-withdraws-against-former-kenya-power-md-ken-tarus-4115792) [By SAM KIPLAGAT](/bd/economy/how-implementation-of-the-nssf-act-will-affect-worker--4115394) An extremely large earthquake has occurred in the southeast of Turkey, near the border with Syria. This scale is non-linear: each step up represents 32 times more energy released.

On Tuesday afternoon, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a disaster zone in the 10 provinces affected by the earthquakes, imposing a state of emergency in the region ...

[Syria](https://www.theguardian.com/world/syria)in the aftermath of yesterday’s earthquakes, according to local media and Agence France-Presse. The UN’s cultural agency Unesco said on Tuesday it was ready to provide assistance after two sites listed on its world heritage list in Syria and Turkey sustained damage in the devastating earthquake. The dispute over the control of the aid is hampering efforts into northern Syria, which is held by rebel groups. The team, made up of firefighters and staff from 14 fire and rescue services from across the country, will cut their way into buildings and help locate survivors in the rubble of the earthquakes. Turkey’s ministry of transport and infrastructure said that overnight 3,400 people took shelter in trains being used as emergency accommodation. Turkey’s disaster management authority has raised the official death toll from Monday’s quake up to 7,108 people.

Two earthquakes struck near northern Syria and are deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region. Read on to find out more about the crisis and what you ...

Continued support is needed as first responders and organizations like the IRC work to respond to the emergency. [Double your impact](http://help.rescue.org/donate/syria-crisis?ms=ws_explainer_fy23_syria_mmus_feb&initialms=ws_explainer_fy23_syria_mmus_feb): For a limited time, monthly donations will be doubled as we rush to support this crisis and all children and families in urgent need this winter. The recent earthquakes destroyed thousands of homes in a region where 2 million people were already lacking adequate shelter. We will be scaling up our response to support affected communities in Turkey as well. The IRC has more than 1,000 staff inside Syria who are working tirelessly to provide life-saving support. [7.8 magnitude](/press-release/following-devastating-earthquake-impacting-turkiye-and-syria-thousands-are-risk-warns) earthquake struck southern Turkey on Monday, just 50 miles from the Syrian border.

Disasters such as the earthquake affecting Turkey and Syria are always worse when there is bad blood between the countries involved.

[challenged this picture](https://doi.org/10.1080/09557570008400339) of mutual enmity and distrust. It’s eminently possible these days to build structures that can [withstand seismic shaking](https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/Why+Do+Buildings+Collapse+in+Earthquakes%3F+Building+for+Safety+in+Seismic+Areas-p-9781119619420). Syria has been [shattered by civil war](https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/destroying-a-nation-9781784537975/) since 2011, so the area around Turkey’s border with Syria is packed with refugees from the fighting and is a crossing point for terrorists. [researched disasters in conflict zones](https://www.disasterdiplomacy.org) for more than 20 years, I’m acutely aware of how difficult the task will be in Turkey and Syria. Then on September 7, Turkey’s main search-and-rescue team phoned the Greek ambassador to Turkey to explain that they had heard that Athens had been rocked by a tremor and to offer assistance. The catastrophe has led to [an international outpouring of support](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-quake-international-support-offers-aid-2023-02-06/). Long-term pre-earthquake actions are certainly far more effective for saving lives and helping people than waiting until the ground has shaken and infrastructure has collapsed. [massive earthquakes](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/64533954) that have rocked the Turkey-Syria border region has now exceeded 5,000 people and the World Health Organization has suggested it could rise as high as [20,000](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/turkey-syria-earthquake-death-toll-increase_uk_63e20fdae4b04d4d18eec4a5#). There have been calls for more crossing points to be opened to allow aid to get to disaster-affected people in Turkish areas affected by the quakes but so far there is no confirmation that Syria will allow this. And we can make ourselves less vulnerable to tremors by working together – even with our political enemies. This border region is riven with conflict which not only impedes the response to the disaster, but also often prevents or inhibits work to reduce the risk of earthquake impacts. We know from

When a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria early Monday morning local time, its tremor could be felt as far afield as ...

The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organisations, which provides healthcare in opposition-held parts of northwestern Syria, is also soliciting [urgent international aid](https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/catastrophic-earthquake-could-lead-humanitarian-disaster-syria-and-turkey). [immediate cash assistance](https://twitter.com/ifrc/status/1622531086822653953)” from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund to help relief efforts. Geological Survey](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000jllz/executive). local time and was six miles deep, according to [USGS](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000jlqa/executive). We are determined to do all that we can to help those affected by these earthquakes in the days, weeks, and months ahead.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “Our initial assistance response to Türkiye is already underway, and U.S.-supported humanitarian organizations in Syria are responding to the earthquakes’ effects across the country. In each of these three pillars of safe construction, it is known that there are serious problems both legally and in practice.” [7.8 magnitude](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000jllz/executive) earthquake struck southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria early Monday morning local time, its tremor could be felt as far afield as Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. The plan involved designating hundreds of urban spaces as evacuation points in case of emergency. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The former has been the site of several disastrous earthquakes, according to While the full scale of the infrastructure damage is yet to be fully known, AFAD official Orhan Tatar said late Monday that more than 5,500 buildings collapsed.

Death toll passes 8000 as frustration over delayed response from Turkish authorities builds and difficult conditions hinder rescue efforts.

“It’s now a race against time,” World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva. Aid officials voiced particular concern about the situation in Syria, already afflicted by a humanitarian crisis after nearly 12 years of civil war. The infant is the sole survivor of her immediate family. “Team coordination, transportation and logistical issues are not easy.”. Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces. “To ensure people get the proper help might not be easy for the first 72 hours after such major and catastrophic earthquakes,” he said.

News and Press Release in English on Syrian Arab Republic and 1 other country about Food and Nutrition, Health, Earthquake and more; published on 8 Feb 2023 ...

“It is essential that the children, who are now even more vulnerable and at risk of exploitation, are able to return to their homes and schools as soon as possible. “Humanitarian needs were already extremely severe in Northwest Syria, and this catastrophic earthquake has added trauma to ongoing crisis there. In the early stages of a crisis, as emergency actions are undertaken to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable people, safeguarding systems can struggle to develop quickly enough.

Rescuers raced to pull survivors from earthquake rubble as the death toll surpassed 9,000 in southern Turkey and war-ravaged northern Syria on Wednesday.

Syria itself is under Western sanctions linked to the war. Even for survivors, the future seems bleak. “The state housing authority will do what is necessary.” In the northwestern Syrian town of Jindires, residents found a crying newborn still connected by the umbilical cord to her deceased mother. His daughter was there, she was sobbing – all the family members were there. “I can’t get my brother back from the ruins. [diverted](/news/2023/2/6/us-pledges-post-earthquake-aid-but-no-contact-with-syrias-assad) to benefit people and institutions linked to the government. The Syrian government has reported an additional 1,250 deaths. Amid applause from onlookers, her grandfather kissed her and spoke softly to her as she was loaded into an ambulance. But that could still increase dramatically if the worst fears of experts are realised. They are no longer hearing voices,” she said. I can’t get my nephew back.

More than four million Syrians who rely on humanitarian aid live in the region affected by the earthquakes in Turkey, according to the U.N..

You can help by donating at the following [link](https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/turkey-syria-earthquake-onetime?source=ADU2011U0W27). [asking](https://www.kizilay.org.tr/Haber/KurumsalHaberDetay/7193) people to donate blood as they continue to ship blood from their existing supplies throughout the day. The International Rescue Committee (IRC), an organization that responds to the most serious humanitarian crises, works in more than 40 countries. The IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has been serving communities impacted by catastrophe and war since its founding in 1992. You can make a contribution to their Children’s Emergency Fund at the following The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has also mobilized aid to Syria, and is focusing on assessing the impact the quake had on water stations and any other interruptions to services. Once the initial need is completed, funds will support longer-term recovery efforts. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). They continue to service the area though at least one of their hospitals has been closed due to promised to send a team of 76 search and rescue specialists and rescue dogs to Turkey. About 3.6 million Syrian refugees live in the nation following the protracted Syrian Civil War. “Sadly, needs are rising rapidly in Syria and not everyone who requires assistance is visible.

Search teams from more than two dozen countries have joined tens of thousands of local emergency personnel to search for survivors in the rubble.

The rescuers are currently trying to reach a woman who they know is in her bed. On Monday afternoon in a northwestern Syrian town, residents found a crying newborn still connected by the umbilical cord to her deceased mother. Syrian officials said the bodies of more than 100 Syrians who died during the earthquake in Turkey were brought back home for burial through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. "Today isn't a pleasant day, because as of today there is no hope left in Malatya," Pikal told the AP by telephone. "We don't have a tent, we don't have a heating stove, we don't have anything. With hope fading to find survivors, stretched rescue teams toiled through the night in Turkey and Syria, searching for signs of life in the rubble of thousands of buildings toppled by a catastrophic earthquake. Road closures and damage in the region have also impeded mobility and access. But the scale of destruction from the 7.8 magnitude quake and its powerful aftershocks was so immense — and spread so wide, including in areas isolated by Syria's Amid calls for the Turkish government to send more help to the disaster zone, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan toured a "tent city" in Kahramanmaras where people forced from their homes are living. "Our hands cannot pick up anything because of the cold," said Pikal. With thousands of buildings toppled, it was not clear how many people might still be trapped underneath the rubble. A change in U.S.

Number of people killed in Turkey and Syria expected to keep rising as anger grows in Turkey over slow response from authorities.

When an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country in Europe and beyond, it can request assistance from the programme. “We in the scientific community are aware of these seismic gaps, but I cannot say that we are ready from an engineering perspective.” Syria has activated the EU civil protection mechanism, two days after the earthquake, to request further assistance from the 27-country bloc and the eight other nation states that are part of the programme. A seismic gap is an area in an active earthquake zone that has not witnessed the expected earthquakes. The death toll in Syria has risen to 2,662, according to reports from AFP. Associated Press have spoken to a former journalist, Ozel Pikal, in the Turkish city of Malatya. The scale of the damage from the two earthquakes is unimaginable. There is a shortage of everything, a shortage of people to help. The rescuers said they were currently trying to reach a woman who they know is in her bed. “I’m sure I speak for the whole in saying our hearts go out to each and every victim and their families. Opposition Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “Over 11,000 people have died as a result of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. A similar-sized earthquake in the region in 1999 killed at least 17,000 people.

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria devastated the region and led to thousands of casualties. Organizations are mobilizing to provide assistance.

[José Andres](https://twitter.com/chefjoseandres/status/1622514177465090048) is mobilizing the World Central Kitchen to send chefs and support to the country as soon as possible. This does not include the [4.1 million Syrian refugees](https://www.mercycorps.org/press-room/releases/devastating-earthquake-turkey-northwestsyria) that were already facing food insecurity in Northern Syria. Andres recently announced that he is en route to Istanbul to aid teams that are [already on the ground](https://twitter.com/chefjoseandres/status/1622965049550831621) in affected areas. Geological Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/magnitude-78-earthquake-nurdagi-turkey). The Turkish government has not publicly announced the damage to agricultural land impacted by the earthquakes at this point. These cascading weather events including earthquakes and their aftershocks caused widespread damage to apartment buildings, homes and [energy infrastructure](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/64533954?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=63e0e11a2e179876cd7c0f8d%26Fires%20along%20gas%20pipelines%20apparently%20triggered%20by%20quake%262023-02-06T13%3A29%3A57.247Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:e3260700-7f73-4524-8041-fb90c67c3252&pinned_post_asset_id=63e0e11a2e179876cd7c0f8d&pinned_post_type=share). Can we please count on you to be part of our growing movement? The necessary investigations have been made to prevent them from creating any problems.” These investigations are ongoing, but the Ministry did not report significant damage thus far. [half](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.AGRI.ZS?locations=TR) of the country is devoted to agriculture and approximately one in five Turkish citizens work in this industry. [World Food Programme](https://www.wfp.org/stories/turkiye-syria-earthquakes-wfp-stands-ready-support-affected-communities-death-toll-rises) teams are also on the ground in both Syria and Turkey, having operated in each country since 1964 and 2012, respectively. Many nonprofit and volunteer organizations are providing immediate food assistance. [Turkish Ministry of Health](https://www.saglik.gov.tr/TR,94710/bakan-koca-hatay-afet-koordinasyon-merkezinde-aciklamalarda-bulundu.html) and [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/feb/07/turkey-earthquake-syria-in-turkiye-2023-live-updates-latest-news-map-magnitude-7-8-scale-quake-tremor-death-toll-gaziantep-kahramanmaras).