In 2023, Turkey and Syria were struck by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which caused thousands of deaths.
This appeal has now closed. Donations made to this appeal helped provide immediate relief to over 14,000 people in the form of emergency shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, medical supplies, food and emergency cash assistance.
You can still make a donation to our Emergency Response Appeal below to help communities that have been affected by disaster and conflict around the world.
Thousands of people were killed after a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey (officially known as Türkiye) and Syria, followed by another large earthquake only hours later.
Your donations helped support the Caritas Network on the ground aiding communities who lost everything.
Turkey and Syria were struck by two earthquakes in a matter of hours.
Were affected by the earthquakes
in both Syria and Turkey lost their lives.
On both sides of the border, buildings collapsed and rescuers had to pull survivors from piles of rubble.
Yet the impact of this natural disaster only compounded the devastation experienced by Syrians over 12 years of brutal conflict.
The ongoing conflict in Syria has exacted a heavy toll on the country. It has created the largest refugee and displacement crisis of our time, with around 13 million Syrians forced from their homes – more than half of the total population. At least 6.8 million have fled the country, with 6.9 million displaced in Syria.
After extended conflict, the country is in a shambles. Vital infrastructure like hospitals, schools, utilities and water and sanitation systems have been damaged or reduced to rubble. The economy is in tatters, with more than 90 per cent of the population living in poverty.
Syrian children have missed years of schooling and experienced unimaginable violence and brutality. At least 2.4 million children are out of school, which will only make it more challenging to build back when the conflict ends.
Turkey hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees, the greatest number of refugees in the world from that conflict. At least half a million refugees live in Gaziantep, where UNHCR runs one of its largest refugee responses.
Communities living in Syria and Turkey need the assistance of international supporters in order for them to recover from the tragic Turkey earthquake and start rebuilding their lives – your simple act of kindness could make all the difference.
The earthquakes in southern Turkey were the deadliest to hit the country in more than 20 years. In 1999, a tremor of similar magnitude to devastated the city of Izmit, killing more than 17,000 people.
The first shock, near the city of Gaziantep, was as powerful as the earthquake in 1939, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Turkey. The 1939 earthquake in Turkey killed over 32,000 people and injured more than 100,000.
Donating to our Emergency Response Appeal can allow us to respond quickly at the onset of emergencies and help communities respond, recover and rebuild.
The funds raised through our Emergency Response Appeal will be used to provide immediate and longer-term humanitarian assistance to communities affected disasters and emergencies around the world.
As a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), Caritas Australia is committed and fully adhere to the ACFID Code of Conduct, conducting our work with transparency, accountability and integrity. Find out more about ACFID Code of Conduct for Emergency Appeals.