Turkey-Syria earthquakes, February 2023

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Publication Date 2023
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Summary:

Information Guide concerning the earthquakes affecting Turkey and Syria in February 2023.

Further Information:

In the early morning of 6 February 2023 a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Gaziantep Province in Turkey, near the border with Syria. Later that morning, a separate 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Kahramanmaraş Province. Nearly 4,000 aftershocks had been reported throughout the following week. Another earthquake was particularly felt in the region again on 21 February.

The earthquakes caused extensive damage and loss of life with death tolls in the two countries totaling approximately 42,000 one week after the event. Search and rescue missions, which were hampered by a winter storm causing freezing temperatures, continued with tens of thousands of people reported missing. Areas of Syria affected by the earthquakes included both government-controlled and rebel-held regions, which complicated relief and emergency aid efforts.

The earthquakes are the deadliest in Turkey's modern history and caused damage estimated to cost between US$55 to 90 billion. Following the earthquakes, countries across the globe responded by offering humanitarian aid and emergency rescue services. At least 53,000 people were estimated to have died as a result of the disaster.

An International Donors' Conference organised by the European Commission and Sweden's Presidency of the Council of the European Union was held on 20 March 2023 to support those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Related Links
Commentary and Analysis
The Economist: Explainer, 06/02/2023: What made the earthquake in Turkey and Syria so deadly? https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/02/06/what-made-the-earthquake-in-turkey-and-syria-so-deadly
The Atlantic: Photos, 06/02/2023: Early Photos From the Earthquake in Turkey and Syria https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2023/02/turkey-syria-earthquake-photos/672958/
Nature Magazine: News Explainer, 06/02/2023: Turkey–Syria earthquake: what scientists know https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00364-y
The Conversation, 07/02/2023: Earthquake footage shows Turkey’s buildings collapsing like pancakes. An expert explains why https://theconversation.com/earthquake-footage-shows-turkeys-buildings-collapsing-like-pancakes-an-expert-explains-why-199389
Euro|topics, February 2023: How to help the people in the earthquake region? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/296127/how-to-help-the-people-in-the-earthquake-region?zitat=296200#zitat296200
Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW): Analyses, 08/02/2023: Earthquake in Turkey: a test for the AKP https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2023-02-08/earthquake-turkey-a-test-akp
The Economist, 09/02/2023: The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have shaken both countries https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/02/09/the-earthquakes-in-turkey-and-syria-have-shaken-both-countries
Foreign Policy: Argument, 10/02/2023: How Corruption and Misrule Made Turkey’s Earthquake Deadlier https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/10/turkey-earthquake-erdogan-government-response-corruption-construction/
UK Parliament: House of Commons Library: Research Briefing No 9727, 15/02/2023: Earthquake in Syria and Turkey February 2023 https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9727/
Euro|topics, February 2023: Turkey and Syria: why so many earthquake victims? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/296279/
The Lancet: Editorial (Vol. 401), 18/02/2023: Responding to the Türkiye–Syria earthquake: what will it take? https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00319-7
The Conversation, 18/02/2023: Turkish President Erdoğan’s grip on power threatened by devastating earthquake https://theconversation.com/turkish-president-erdogans-grip-on-power-threatened-by-devastating-earthquake-200033
Harvard University: Graduate School of Design: News, 03/03/2023: After the Turkey-Syria Earthquakes, Rethinking Design on Shaky Ground https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/2023/03/after-the-turkey-syria-earthquakes-rethinking-design-on-shaky-ground/
CNN Travel, 18/03/2023: Turkey was devastated by an earthquake. Here’s what that means for tourism https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/turkey-earthquake-tourism-istanbul-izmir-antalya-bodrum/index.html

News
The Guardian: Topics: Turkey-Syria earthquake 2023 https://www.theguardian.com/world/turkey-syria-earthquake-2023
BBC News: Topics: Turkey-Syria earthquakes 2023 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cq0zxdd0y39t
Deutsche Welle: Topic: Turkey-Syria earthquake https://www.dw.com/en/turkey/t-19122148
France24: Tag: Turkey-Syria earthquakes https://www.france24.com/en/tag/turkey-syria-earthquakes/
Le Monde: Topics: Turkey-Syria earthquakes https://www.lemonde.fr/en/turkey-syria-earthquakes/
Euronews: Topics: Turkey-Syria Earthquake https://www.euronews.com/tag/turkey-syria-earthquake
EurActiv, 07/02/2023; Greece, Albania, Kosovo send rescue teams to earthquake-shaken Turkey https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/greece-albania-kosovo-send-rescue-teams-to-earthquake-shaken-turkey/
RFE/RL, 11/02/2023: Armenia Sends Humanitarian Aid Through Long-Closed Border To Earthquake-Stricken Turkey https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-humanitarian-aid-turkey-earthquake/32266808.html
EurActiv, 13/02/2023; Dutch cabinet in favour of relaxing visa rules for earthquake victims https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/dutch-cabinet-in-favour-of-relaxing-visa-rules-for-earthquake-victims/
Politico, 14/02/2023; WHO: Turkey, Syria earthquakes ‘worst natural disaster’ in European region in a century https://www.politico.eu/article/who-turkey-syria-earthquake-worst-natural-disaster-europe-region-century/
Georgia Today: 14/02/2023: Government of Georgia sends humanitarian aid to Turkey https://georgiatoday.ge/government-of-georgia-sends-humanitarian-aid-to-turkey/
Kathimerini, 14/02/2023: Humanitarian aid to depart for Turkey, Syria on Wednesday https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1204679/humanitarian-aid-to-depart-for-turkey-syria-on-wednesday/
Romania Insider, 14/02/2023: Romania sends aid to Syrian population affected by earthquake https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-sends-aid-syria-earthquake-2023
ERR News, 14/02/2023: Estonian international rescue team returns from Turkey https://news.err.ee/1608885425/estonian-international-rescue-team-returns-from-turkey
Reuters, 15/02/2023: Syrian tribes get quake aid across frontline to northwest https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-tribes-get-quake-aid-across-frontline-northwest-2023-02-15/
Radio Prague International, 15/02/2023: Czechia to send aid to Turkey as rescue team returns https://english.radio.cz/czechia-send-aid-turkey-rescue-team-returns-8775146
Reuters, 20/03/2023: Six killed after latest earthquake shakes Turkey-Syria border https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-clears-away-rubble-earthquake-rescue-efforts-wind-down-2023-02-20/
Politico, 20/02/2023: Key developments in the aftermath of the Turkey, Syria quake https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/20/turkey-syria-earthquake-00083643
BBC News, 21/02/2023: Turkey earthquake: Deadly new tremor traps people under rubble https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64711228
Reuters, 13/03/2023: Turkey's quake toll tops 48,000 as government races to build container cities https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-quake-toll-tops-48000-govt-races-build-container-cities-2023-03-13/
BBC News, 15/03/2023: Turkey earthquake: UK team to assess building damage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64920236
Balkan Insight, 17/03/2023: Turkey: Earthquakes Have Cost Economy $103.6 Billion https://balkaninsight.com/2023/03/17/turkey-earthquakes-have-cost-economy-103-6-billion/
Politico, 20/03/2023: EU to send Turkey €1B for quake reconstruction https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-commission-turkey-1-billion-euro-reconstruction-earthquake/
Reuters, 20/03/2023: EU-led donors to provide 7 bln euros to help rebuild Turkey after earthquake https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-executive-offers-1-billion-euros-help-rebuild-turkey-earthquake-2023-03-20/

Official
United Nations (UN): Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Response https://www.un.org/en/t%C3%BCrkiye-syria-earthquake-response
World Health Organisation: Türkiye and Syria earthquakes https://www.who.int/europe/emergencies/situations/turkiye-and-syria-earthquakes
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): Türkiye and Syria earthquakes: IFRC response to date https://www.ifrc.org/article/turkiye-and-syria-earthquakes-ifrc-response-date
European Commission: Türkiye and Syria: Statement on the earthquake by High Representative Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič (6 February 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_23_622
Council of the European Union: Press Release, 06/02/2023: Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria: Council presidency triggers activation of IPCR https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/02/06/earthquake-in-turkiye-and-syria-council-presidency-triggers-activation-of-ipcr/
European Parliament: Press Release, 06/02/2023: Statement on the powerful earthquake in southern Türkiye and northern Syria https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230206IPR72201/
European Commission: Press Release, 08/02/2023: Earthquake: EU mobilises further emergency help for Syria and Türkiye https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_701
European Commission: Press Release, 08/02/2023: European Commission and Swedish Presidency of the Council will organise a Donors' Conference for the people of Türkiye and Syria affected by the earthquake https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_708
NATO: News, 09/02/2023: Earthquake response: NATO to deploy shelter facilities to Türkiye https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_211639.htm
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Statement, 10/02/2023: Syria: President of the International Committee of the Red Cross visits Aleppo in earthquake aftermath https://www.icrc.org/en/document/syria-president-international-committee-red-cross-visits-aleppo-earthquake-aftermath
European Commission: Read-out of the call between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan (12 February 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/read_23_801
Welsh Government: News, 14/02/2023: Earthquake in Turkey and Syria https://www.gov.wales/earthquake-in-turkey-and-syria
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): Statement, 15/02/2023: Syria and Türkiye: All earthquake victims deserve urgent humanitarian assistance https://www.icrc.org/en/document/syria-and-turkiye-all-earthquake-victims-deserve-urgent-humanitarian-assistance
NATO: News, 16/02/2023: Secretary General: NATO stands with Türkiye, working to deploy shelters and tents https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_211987.htm
UK Government: Press Release, 19/02/2023: UK development minister visits Turkey-Syria earthquake response https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-development-minister-visits-turkey-syria-earthquake-response
German Federal Foreign Office: Article, 23/02/2023: Severe earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Germany and Europe are helping people on the ground https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/themen/humanitarianassistance/eathquake-turkey-syria/2580218
European Commission: Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria: A Donors’ Conference to raise funds https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/donors-conference-turkiye-and-syria_en
European Commission: Press Release, 10/03/2023: Earthquakes: The European Commission and the Swedish Council Presidency will host an International Donors' Conference in support of the people in Türkiye and Syria on 20 March in Brussels https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1582
European Commission: Press Release, 20/03/2023: EU and international donors' pledge €7 billion in support of the people in Türkiye and Syria following the recent devastating earthquakes https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1781
European Commission: Opening remarks by President von der Leyen at the International Donors' Conference ‘Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria' (20 March 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_1785
European Commission: Closing remarks by President von der Leyen at the International Donors' Conference ‘Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria' (20 March 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_23_1784
German Federal Foreign Office, 20/03/2023: Severe earthquakes in Turkey and Syria: Germany and Europe are helping people on the ground https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/themen/humanitarianassistance/eathquake-turkey-syria/2580218

Wikipedia: 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Turkey%E2%80%93Syria_earthquake

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