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UK’s DEC to help the victims of Turkey and Syria earthquakes

Sujal Kothari

Published on February 9, 2023

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Key takeaways:

An appeal is being undertaken by the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to support hundreds of thousands of people impacted by the Turkey and Syria earthquakes.

Money will go towards medical assistance, emergency shelter, food and pure water for the victims of Turkey and Syria earthquakes. UK help agencies – including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and ActionAid – are joining to raise funds.

Disaster Emergency Committee of the UK to help Turkey and Syria earthquakes victims:

The plea will be broadcast on TV on Thursday night. Nearly 15,000 people have died, with that number expected to climb.

Thousands of buildings were demolished in the disaster, and responders explored the debris for survivors. The DEC says many people have lost houses, leaving them without cover in freezing winter situations.

In Syria, several people who were already living in tents after escaping conflict in the nation are now hosting those whose homes have been ruined by the earthquake.

The charities say the key to clean water will be challenging in the coming days, and waterborne illnesses will be a threat.

UK and Scotland to help victims of Turkey and Syria earthquakes:

The UK government will reach the first £5m of donations from the people. Funds raised will also supply blankets, warm clothes and heaters for safe areas.

Also read: President Volodymyr Zelensky is in the UK for the first time after Russia attacked Ukraine

The Scottish government is also donating £500,000, and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Scotland will officially establish a plea on Thursday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon explained the scenes in Turkey and Syria as “heart-wrenching”, continuing: “This tremor has caused a massive amount of deterioration and significant loss of life that will be felt for some time to arrive.”

She said there was an urgent requirement to assist with the humanitarian actions being made, and emergency services had already been deployed.

The money contributed to the DEC plea would “help those affected with medical supervision, shelter, food and clean water”, said Ms Sturgeon.

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed explained the scenes in Turkey and Syria as “unfortunate”, with thousands “losing loved ones abruptly in the most shocking ways”.