Following the powerful earthquakes that hit southern Turkey and northwestern Syria on February 6, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams working in northwestern Syria have mobilized with local partners to respond to the increasing needs in the area. The United Nations has confirmed that more than 9,000 people were wounded and 2,300 were killed, according to the first estimates from both countries.
Sadly, an MSF staff member was found dead under the rubble of his house in Idlib, and others lost members of their family.
MSF provided immediate support to 23 health facilities across Idlib and Aleppo governorates by donating emergency medical kits and supporting them with medical staff to reinforce their teams. MSF teams have donated blankets and essential life kits to displaced people in the region. The earthquakes destroyed hundreds of houses, leaving thousands homeless. People are staying outside despite the snow due to fear of aftershocks that have continued throughout the day.
February 06 07:43 AM
Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: What is MSF doing?
MSF teams in northern Syria have been responding since the first hours of the disaster
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Breaking news this Monday as powerful earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria at 4 AM local time, while people were sleeping.
The U.N. is estimating over 9,000 people have been injured and 2,000 killed. Homes are destroyed, and survivors are staying outside in the cold and in the snow, fearing the aftershocks. So far thousands of people have died or been injured, and the numbers are increasing. We’re extremely saddened to learn that one of our staff members died in the rubble, and other colleagues have lost family members. Our Doctors Without Borders teams were able to respond right away because we were already working in this area of northwest Syria.
Teams are treating injured people. Our ambulances are supporting hospitals. We've already donated medical supplies and other equipment in several locations, and we will continue to do so. We'll be sharing updates with you as the situation evolves. In the meantime, our thoughts are with our colleagues, their families, and with everyone in the earthquake zones.
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