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The death toll of Monday’s devastating earthquakes and continuous aftershocks has passed 12,500, completely destroying many parts of Southern Türkiye and Northern Syria. According to Türkiye’s Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, AFAD, as of Wednesday, 9,057 people were reported dead and 52,979 injured. Meanwhile the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 3,500 dead and Syrian aid group The White Helmets reported 2,300 wounded. Approximately 300,000 people in the region are left homeless after 8,300 buildings collapsed and the World Health Organization estimates that 23 million people in the region need aid. Nearly 20,000 personnel have been mobilized under Türkiye’s state of emergency for the 10 most affected provinces, but workers and helpers are in a race with time and freezing temperatures during the areas worst winter storm this year. Health experts emphasize that survival rate after 72 hours falls below 25% at this level of disaster and weather.
International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation (IBC) has intensified relief efforts through its hubs in Kilis Community Center, support to state-run shelter, housing 9,000 survivors in Sanliurfa and 4,000 blankets and other supplies are on the way to Gaziantep in partnership with Action Medeor. IBC Field Team met with the President of the Turkish Red Crescent, Adnan Erdogan as well as Anne Cecil from Doctors without Borders at IBC Kilis hub to talk about the basic needs in the city, especially provision of ready-made meals, blankets, and tents. It was agreed to begin cooperation to increase daily meals from 5,000 3x per day to 6,000 meals 3x per day to meet the growing needs. Visits were made to the current distribution points in Kilis including 2,000 people at the main sports field, 1,000 people at IBC Community Center, 2,000 people at the University of Kilis, and 1,000 people in the center of the city’s cemetery. In addition, 4 large tents were built to shelter families in the area and through the new agreement, IBC and partners will provide these tents with food as well.