By IsraAID Staff | IsraAID Turkiye
Just 30 hours after the first of two deadly earthquakes struck on February 6, 2023, IsraAID deployed an emergency response team to Türkiye. As one of the first international humanitarian aid agencies on the ground, we responded to the urgent needs caused by widespread displacement, critical infrastructure devastation, lack of basic services, and escalating food insecurity. These challenges were exacerbated by harsh winter conditions and more than 11,000 aftershocks that were felt across the region.
IsraAID delivered this emergency response in nine of the hardest-hit communities in southeastern Türkiye and partnered with a wide range of actors to serve more than 42,800 people with much-needed food, shelter, safe water, and protection support.
CRITICAL RELIEF DISTRIBUTIONS
IsraAID distributed over 30,000 kilograms of long-life food and other critical non-food items such as blankets, tents, solar lights, first aid kits, and warm clothing. Additionally, to minimize the disruptive impact on students’ education, we distributed tablets to the most vulnerable students and procured wheelchairs for disabled individuals to facilitate their mobility and access to essential resources. Furthermore, to enable displaced families to continue basic hygiene practices, we distributed thousands of household hygiene kits containing essentials like diapers, menstrual hygiene products, and baby wipes. This ensured they could maintain some dignity amid their displacement and reduced the risks of secondary health crises.
CLEAN WATER FOR AFFECTED COMMUNITIES
To address the severe shortage of safe water, IsraAID installed community water filters, providing access to clean drinking and cooking water for over 3,000 people daily. Similarly, we distributed household water filters to families in rural farming areas, where communities relied on untreated wells for their water. Although potable water was available at displacement camps, many farmers were unable to leave their land, animals, or crops. We also taught site staff and households to operate and troubleshoot the filters. This is an important long-term goal for IsraAID, reflected in our theory of change. By embedding local capacity and ownership within communities, we ensured continued impact for many years to come, far beyond the number of direct recipients during our time on the ground.
CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACE
In partnership with a Turkish NGO, IsraAID established a Child-Friendly Space (CFS) that provided a warm and nurturing environment six days a week for children to process their emotions and experiences. We trained 18 social workers to deliver stress-relieving activities that promote play, socialization, and learning. They were also trained to identify and refer child protection concerns. We welcomed over 2,000 children to the space, supporting them as they regained a sense of normalcy, stability, and routine.
NEXT STEPS
With your support, IsraAID worked hand in hand with crisis-affected communities from the first days of the emergency to ensure they had access to food; shelter; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services; and mental health and psychosocial support. We have now successfully concluded our programming in Türkiye, ensuring vulnerable communities are equipped with the vital tools and resources they need to rebuild stronger than before.
Thank you for your support – we couldn’t do it without you!
By IsraAID Staff | IsraAID Turkiye
By IsraAID Staff | IsraAID Turkiye
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