Widespread panic and damage have been reported as another strong 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Türkiye on Monday 20 February, just 2 weeks after the first deadly quake that has seen over 47,000 people reported dead in Türkiye and Syria so far.
The latest earthquake struck near the city of Antakya, close to the Syrian border, causing severe damage to already weakened buildings. Over 300 people have been reported as injured, on both sides of the border, and sadly 6 people have been killed.
World Health Organisation head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he is “concerned about ongoing tremors” in Turkey and Syria, although none have been as severe as the initial quake.
Islamic Relief has been on the ground providing emergency aid including shelter, medical supplies, food and water. So far we have helped around 660,000 people in Türkiye and Syria since the first earthquakes struck on 6 February.
Fresh calls for aid amid fresh rescue efforts
We are renewing calls for support to assist the people of Syria and Türkiye as rescuers once again search for people trapped under rubble of fallen buildings.
“Our teams on the ground felt the latest earthquake as they worked yesterday evening,” says Ahmed Mahmoud, Islamic Relief’s Head of Mission in Türkiye and Syria. “There was widespread panic with the streets full of people as children and families left their homes as they don’t feel safe. There were reports of people being injured as they jumped from shaking buildings to try and escape.
“In Syria, reception centres for homeless families are already massively overcrowded from the last earthquakes. There are 2, 3 or even 4 families sharing single tents, with nothing to keep them warm. I saw one tent with 32 people sheltering in it, including 17 children, as there aren’t enough tents for everyone. We need more emergency aid on the ground as soon as possible.
“People here have gone through unimaginable horror and suffering and now tonight they are faced with sheer terror once again.”
Islamic Relief is at the forefront of disaster response
Islamic Relief has been clearing rubble from roads in northern Syria and supplying hospitals with essential medicine and beds. Islamic Relief has also been supporting mobile clinics to provide targeted support for women and girls, and providing basic counselling for children who have experienced these traumatic events.
Across the border in Türkiye, Islamic Relief is distributing hygiene items and food parcels, and providing vouchers for people to purchase whatever they need most at local shops.
Islamic Relief supporters have given generously to help support our £20 million emergency appeal, but as the disaster continues to unfold, affected families need help more than ever.
