Türkiye and Syria Emergency

After more than a decade of war, over 12 million Syrians have fled their homes. Many are trapped in poverty and, even if they could return home, have absolutely nothing left.

The devastating earthquakes that struck on 6 February 2023 only brought more suffering, both in Syria and in neighbouring Türkiye – the country that hosts the most refugees in the world.

“I have been coming to Syria regularly for almost 20 years, but never have I seen such levels of deprivation and desperation,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “It is unconscionable that so many people have been left with so little for so long. They need and deserve much more support.”

Syria is one of the world’s largest refugee crises, however, the situation has dropped out of the news and funding hasn’t kept up with the growing need.

Yet every day is an emergency for Syrians. Even before the deadly earthquakes, more than 15 million people in Syria – over two-thirds of the population – required humanitarian assistance.

Thanks to generous donors like you, earthquake survivors in Syria and Türkiye have received emergency supplies such as tents, sleeping bags and hygiene kits. With your support, UNHCR has also provided counselling and protection for the most vulnerable – especially women and children.

UNHCR is working to reach more displaced Syrians with shelter, emergency supplies, cash assistance and livelihood support to help them recover from back-to-back disasters.

But the scale of this emergency is staggering and the need is still great.