Disaster response
Turkey / Syria

Earthquake in South Turkey

2023

Published on Feb 09, 2023 04:18 PM - Updated on Oct 25, 2024 04:21 PM

TSF deploys teams to support the populations in South Turkey and North Syria regions affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and 7.5 aftershock.

General information

Context: Natural disaster

Start date: 07/02/2023

End date: 17/02/2023

Areas of interventions: South Turkey and Northern Syria

Activities:

Connectivity for humanitarian actors
Connectivity for medical centres

A powerful earthquake of a 7.8 magnitude hit the South of Turkey in the early morning of Monday, 6th of February 2023. It was followed by aftershocks, one of them 7.5. Two days after, the earthquakes had killed 11,000 people, and the Turkish authorities declared a state of emergency. In total, the deathtoll surpassed 50,000 people.

Deployment

A first team arrived in Turkey on the next day, carrying emergency telecom equipment to support the critical relief efforts. The team also coordinated with UNDAC and humanitarian bodies in the field to assess and cover the most affected areas. For more information, read our newsletter.

Providing connectivity for relief efforts

In addition to enabling connectivity in Antakya, TSF is also providing connectivity to the PUI, (Pompiers de l'Urgence Internationale, or International Emergency Firefighters) in Kahramanmaraş and to the White Helmets organization for their Search And Rescue operations and assessment for reconstruction.

Support for medical teams in Syria

White Helmets
Reinforce support to the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM)'s mobile teams and medical centre

With the relief phase of the mission now over, TSF's operation in Turkey is now focused on finding ways to support the recovery of earthquake-affected populations. TSF continues to work in collaboration with national and international organizations to respond effectively to the needs of individuals and humanitarian NGOs.

The earthquake also heavily impacted the Syrian population and has contributed to worsening the already difficult situation in the country therefore complicating its recovery: learn more about our mission there.