Turkey and Syria – a month after the earthquake. Actions of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

The Polish Red Cross will cooperate with partners from the Movement, engaging in the most urgent actions established. So far, the Polish Red Cross has collected over 550,000 PLN for this purpose and provided material aid worth over 670,000 PLN.

From day one, the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, supported by IFRC and other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, are meeting the most urgent humanitarian needs in the areas most affected by the disaster, including the distribution of food, clean water, hygiene items, winter clothing, and blankets. They are also engaged in providing first aid and healthcare, and assisting access to sanitation services. However, a month later, the most crucial importance is increasing access to mental health services.

The demand for psychosocial support and healthcare is immense, and in some areas where access is difficult, it may expose the most affected individuals to an even greater risk of developing mental health issues. Entire communities are now suffering after losing everything, from their loved ones to their homes, workplaces, and former lives. Furthermore, many caregivers and rescuers, besides the burden of exhausting work, also struggle to cope with what they have seen.

The Turkish Red Crescent has created safe places where it provides psychosocial support and assistance for children, as well as first aid for the injured, thus supporting over 42,000 people. Specialists also provide psychological first aid and offer referrals to local healthcare facilities.

“Local-level responses, using both mobile and stationary units, allow the Turkish Red Crescent and IFRC to immediately respond to the physical and mental health needs of the most affected individuals. Mental health support at an early stage is and will remain essential to prevent negative long-term, and even permanent consequences for people's lives,” – said Lauren Clarke, IFRC health and humanitarian coordinator in Turkey.

In Syria, teams from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent have provided psychological first aid to over 30,000 people, especially children, and continue to provide healthcare and medication through mobile healthcare units. The earthquake occurred here after nearly 12 years of conflict, which has already contributed to the displacement of millions of people and caused trauma in many communities.

“Many of the damages caused by the earthquake are not visible. People have been suffering for over a decade due to conflicts that have already impacted their mental health and well-being. This earthquake adds another layer of suffering on top of that. We have also seen that psychological wounds do not always appear immediately. Therefore, we need to provide continuous support, not only now but for years to come. Let’s hope there won't be another disaster that would complicate the situation even further,” – said Gwendolen Eamer, IFRC health coordinator in Syria.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent has distributed over 1,200,000 kits with essential items: winter clothing, food, clean water, hygiene items and has ensured access to sanitation services to prevent diseases. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent in Syria, together with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, provides medical assistance, focusing mainly on Palestinian camps in Aleppo and Latakia.

In rural areas and in temporary shelters, the Turkish Red Crescent provides healthcare through seven mobile clinics. In addition, it has issued over 140,000 cash vouchers, helping survivors meet their most urgent needs in their preferred way. Volunteers of the Turkish Red Crescent have also distributed over 94,000,000 hot meals.

The Polish Red Cross has joined in helping those affected in Turkey and Syria by announcing a fundraising campaign, where it has so far raised over 550,000 PLN. Moreover, it has delivered 20 tons of humanitarian aid at the disposal of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which, together with the Government Strategic Reserves Agency, prepared transport of the most necessary materials for the affected individuals. The Polish Red Cross has provided: sleeping bags, blankets, field beds, and ready-to-eat meal rations worth over 670,000 PLN.

The Polish Red Cross, in cooperation with IFRC, will support the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in providing essential assistance to those affected. The funds raised in Poland will be allocated to the most urgent aid items or actions for those in need at the given moment.

Anyone who wants to support the efforts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent for Turkey and Syria can contribute to the Polish Red Cross fundraising: https://pck.pl/pck-na-pomoc-turcji-i-syrii-wesprzyj-nas/