It's been over a month since a series of earthquakes — including a massive 7.8 magnitude quake — struck Türkiye near the Syrian border. The devastation from these quakes has refocused the world's attention on the hardships people in Syria have faced for over a decade. It's truly a crisis within a crisis.

Syria has been grappling with a conflict which began 12 years ago today, resulting in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. An economic collapse has left 75% of the population unable to meet their basic needs, and a lack of adequate housing as well as a recent cholera outbreak have led to even more devastation.

But thanks to generosity from IRC supporters like you, the IRC has been operating in Syria since the start of the conflict in 2012. With over 1,000 staff working on the ground, the IRC provides life-saving healthcare, protection, and tailored support to communities in Syria day after day, year after year.

The recent 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the border of Türkiye has only worsened conditions for people living in northern Syria. Our teams have had to readjust our priorities to meet the immediate needs of the victims. Today, on the 12th anniversary of the Syrian conflict, I wanted to share another update on how our team has escalated our response to reach the people who have been most impacted.

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Two IRC staff members assessing earthquake damage in Syria.

We are working to provide earthquake–affected communities with necessary items, such as blankets and towels, hygiene supplies, food and emergency cash assistance, as well as essential mental health support.

We've also partnered with local groups to ensure the uninterrupted flow of critical medicines, supplies and equipment, and we're operating clinics and mobile health teams that provide lifesaving health care like trauma services, primary and reproductive care, dialysis and essential drugs.

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An IRC staff member unloading emergency earthquake supplies in Syria.

In addition to the earthquake's destruction, the Syrian people are still living through active, devastating conflict.

Women like Lama*, pictured below, have had to relocate four times to escape airstrikes. Lama and her family were forced to flee their village almost four years ago. Since then they have been on the move from one displacement camp to another. They've been able to settle down for almost two years now in a displacement camp in northern Syria.

Thanks to the compassion from supporters like you, the IRC started emergency cash distributions following the first earthquake and we have reached over 4,277 households — an estimated 25,662 people.

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Lama* and her child pictured in their home at a displacement camp, where they've lived for the past year and eight months.

As crisis after crisis continues, the IRC remains committed to putting the needs of those most affected by the conflict at the forefront of our efforts and to achieve measurable improvements in safety, health and economic well-being. We will continue to support uprooted Syrians and host communities, with a particular focus on women and children.

Our work here is more critical than ever, and it's only possible because of supporters like you. I encourage you to read other stories from Syria and learn more about the developing crisis and our work to help those in need.

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— Elias

Elias Abu Ata
Senior Communications Manager, Syria
International Rescue Committee

*Name has been changed to protect the client's identity

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