A year has passed since the catastrophic earthquakes that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has recently shed light on the continuing plight of children and their families who were affected by this disaster.
In Syria, approximately 7.5 million children are still in dire need of humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
The situation has been exacerbated by an economic crisis, mass displacement, and the crumbling of public infrastructure. UNICEF warns that essential services, including water and sanitation systems and public healthcare, are under immense strain.
This situation has persisted for years due to minimal or nonexistent investment.
The organization has highlighted the heightened risk of disease outbreaks among children, further aggravated by prolonged drought, a water crisis, and food insecurity.
This has contributed to increased malnutrition and child mortality rates. Around 90% of families in Syria are living in poverty, with over half of them facing food insecurity.
In Turkey, the situation is similarly dire, with 3.2 million children in need of basic services. The education of over 4 million children has been disrupted following the earthquakes. While significant efforts have been made to increase access to formal and informal education, many children in affected areas remain out of school.
UNICEF’s Response:
UNICEF has supported nearly one million children to access education and has provided mental health care and psychosocial support to over 1.5 million children. The organization has also supplied safe water to more than 3 million people.
To continue its work in Turkey and rebuild its foundation for operation, UNICEF is seeking over $116 million. For Syria, the organization aims to secure approximately $402 million in 2024 to meet the ongoing needs.
The initial earthquake on February 6 last year, with a magnitude of 7.8, was followed by a second strong tremor of 7.5 magnitude hours later.
As the world marks one year since these devastating events, the enduring challenges faced by the children in these regions remain a significant concern for UNICEF and the international community.
