A layered disaster: Supporting long-term recovery in Turkey and Syria

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A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Turkey near the northern border of Syria on Feb. 6. The quake was followed approximately nine hours later by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake located around 59 miles (95 kilometers) to the southwest. Dozens of large aftershocks have also occurred.

In northwest Syria, 4.1 million people – primarily women and children – already depend on humanitarian assistance. While countries have offered to support Turkey, getting aid to affected Syrians is likely to be more difficult.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is hosting a webinar to look at the earthquake’s impact on a region already destabilized by one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. The quake will undoubtedly exacerbate ongoing challenges and preexisting vulnerabilities.

Speakers will share the latest information, including critical needs and gaps, and provide concrete takeaways for funders to effectively support relief and recovery efforts now underway.

During the webinar, we will examine the earthquake in the context of the existing complex humanitarian emergency and the communities already dependent on humanitarian assistance as well as regional implications for aid delivery.

At the end of the webinar, donors and grantmakers will:

1. Understand the variety of immediate and long-term needs faced by communities in the earthquake-affected area.
2. Learn how the current humanitarian crisis affects earthquake response and recovery.
3. Increase their knowledge of earthquakes, complex humanitarian emergencies and ways to support recovery efforts effectively.

While primarily aimed at funders, it may also be of interest to academics, humanitarian assistance and NGO staff interested in or working on disasters and other crises.