Leading Australian charities launch a joint appeal for the emergency earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria

The Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) put out a call for help today for the people who have been hurt by the terrible earthquakes in Syria and Turkey.

More than 7,800 deaths are thought to have occurred so far, and more are anticipated.

Early on February 6, 2023, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck south-east Turkey and northern Syria. The effects were felt as far away as Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. Nine hours later, 100km north of the first earthquake's epicentre, a second 7.5-magnitude earthquake with strong aftershocks struck areas in central Turkey.

In addition to the 7,800 fatalities, 20,000 people have also been injured, and thousands more are still missing.

In order to respond to humanitarian emergencies, EAA brings together 15 of Australia's top charities. In order to provide immediate assistance, they are working with local partners on the ground to distribute emergency shelter supplies like blankets and tents, help with search and rescue operations, and provide food, water, and financial support to impacted families.

But more help is needed right away to help the thousands of other people who have been hurt by this disaster.

"Right now, EAA member organisations are working with their local partners on the ground to provide immediate, life-saving aid to the disaster response, including search and rescue efforts as thousands of people remain trapped in the rubble," said EAA Executive Director Kerren Morris.

"They are doing everything they can, but to reach thousands more people, we urgently need donations. Thousands of people will need help with food, shelter, and other things, especially during this harsh winter, and the number of deaths is expected to rise sharply.We are pleading with Australians to help however they can." Morris said.

Tents, mattresses, blankets, food, water, baby items, and warm clothing are among the immediate needs listed by CARE Türkiye Country Director Sherine Ibrahim for those affected.

To ensure that those who are cold and hungry can find shelter, those who are hungry can eat, and children who are already malnourished can survive, Ms. Ibrahim said, "We are in urgent need of immediate support in the form of financial assistance."

Meryem Aslan, an Oxfam representative in Turkey, said: "It is a double tragedy for survivors who will have to deal with the cold as well and won't be able to sleep outside. Given that some areas are already covered in snow, it is horrifying to think about how people will even be able to cope, she said.

Reaching survivors will be hard because many roads and highways are damaged or blocked, and they are spread out over a large area. Despite Turkiye's extensive experience in dealing with earthquake aftermath, this earthquake's size is intimidating. There are probably a great number of survivors who are now left with nothing.

Baptist World Aid is responding to the devastation unfolding in Turkey and northern Syria this week," Baptist World Aid CEO Melissa Lipsett said. Families that have already fled the Syrian civil war and need help are among the many people who have been hurt by two strong earthquakes and their aftershocks. We are collaborating closely with a number of Partners to assess the situation and support their ongoing and future emergency relief efforts.

Kirsty Robertson, the CEO of Caritas Australia, said: "People are currently suffering from being injured, homeless, or trapped under the debris in blizzard-like conditions. For warmth, they are gathering in cars or by open fires. Pregnant women, newborns, and the injured are out in the streets because hospitals can't operate because of the lack of electricity. We have heard that Aleppo's entire city has been destroyed. The suffering of people is enough. Some of them have already experienced total loss, and this earthquake has completely obliterated what little was left of them. We must support in any way we can."

Even though it is a harsh winter, the UN Refugee Agency is still helping people who have been forced to leave their homes because of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

After nearly 12 years of war in their nation, a region of southern Turkey and northern Syria where millions of displaced Syrians reside was struck by powerful earthquakes on Monday.

The UNHCR's Matthew Saltmarsh said, "This is an absolute hammer blow for Syria's displaced populations." "The people who have fled Syria and those who have been uprooted there are already experiencing economic hardship. Winter is currently at its worst. There have been snowstorms.

More than 7000 people have died as a result of Monday's earthquakes, and rescue workers are still looking for survivors in the wreckage of fallen structures.

In Turkey, UNHCR is collaborating with Turkish authorities and other UN agencies to provide urgently needed assistance, such as kitchen sets, mattresses, and tents, to both refugees and host communities.

In Syria, the UNHCR has sent 30,000 core relief item kits to Tartous, Homs, and Aleppo's most severely affected neighbourhoods. High thermal blankets, mattresses, kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, jerry cans, and sleeping mats are all included in the kits.

Thousands of tents and winter clothing can be delivered to affected communities by the UN Refugee Agency.

Trudi Mitchell, CEO of Australia for UNHCR, noted that Australians have demonstrated fervent support for those impacted.

"Over the past 24 hours, Australians have shown overwhelmingly strong support. But more aid is urgently required to support those who have suffered such great loss, according to Ms. Mitchell.

"A warm winter coat, gloves, and boots for an earthquake survivor in Türkiye can be purchased for as little as $35."

She said the generosity of donors is the only thing that makes UNHCR's life-saving work on the ground today possible. I want to express my gratitude to Australians for their help.

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