: Earthquakes Struck the Heart of the World’s Largest Refugee Population. Here’s How to Help #WorldNEWS The devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria early Monday, are affecting some of the

Earthquakes Struck the Heart of the World’s Largest Refugee Population. Here’s How to Help #WorldNEWS
The devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria early Monday, are affecting some of the most vulnerable people in the world. More than four million Syrians who rely on immediate humanitarian aid live in the region, according to the U. N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The first earthquake, which was magnitude 7. 8, is one of the strongest to hit the region in the last century, affecting an area already confronting a cholera outbreak and harsh winter weather. More than 5,000 people have died and thousands of others were injured in the earthquakes, which struck when people were in bed sleep. First responders are scrambling to rescue people trapped under toppled buildings.

Turkey is the world’s biggest refugee host country. About 3. 6 million Syrian refugees live in the nation following the protracted Syrian Civil War. Many of these refugees live in southeastern Turkey in the area where the earthquakes struck.
The humanitarian situation in Syria makes recovery even more precarious for people there, according to U. N.
“Sadly, needs are rising rapidly in Syria and not everyone who requires assistance is visible. Over 75% of all sub-districts in the country are classified as being under severe, extreme, or catastrophic conditions,” said United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Syria, El- Mostafa Benlamlih, in a statement. “We must act quickly to ensure more communities do not slide into an inescapable loop of deprivation and negative coping mechanisms. ”

Lon Tweeten–TIMEThe earthquakes that struck early Monday, Feb. 6 were some of the biggest in the region in a century.

Oguz Yeter—Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesAn aerial view of a damaged building after an earthquake in Adana, Turkey on Feb. 06, 2023.
Some nations have already committed to sending aid. The U. K. promised to send a team of 76 search and rescue specialists and rescue dogs to Turkey. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed condolences and said his government is mobilizing resources to help.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also tweeted that it was launching immediate assistance from their Disaster Response Emergency Fund to make sure relief efforts can continue.
Consider donating to the following organizations to help:
Syrian American Medical Society
The Syrian American Medical Society is a relief organization working on the front lines of the crisis. They continue to service the area though at least one of their hospitals has been closed due to damages caused by the temblors.
They are asking for donations to purchase trauma supplies and continue to provide emergency aid to their patients.