Thank you for contacting me about the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
The devastation wrought by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria has been deeply saddening. I offer my condolences to all those impacted by this tragedy and my thoughts remain with all those affected, particularly those who lost loved ones.
In response to the devastating earthquake on 6 February, I strongly welcome that HM Government (HMG) offered support to both countries only hours after the earthquake struck. To Turkey, HMG immediately deployed 77 UK search and rescue specialists, four search dogs, and rescue equipment, including seismic listening devices, concrete cutting and breaking equipment, and propping and shoring tools.
HMG is also working to establish the humanitarian needs of those impacted and has pledged to ensure that life-saving and life-assisting support reaches those in Syria who need it. This is building on the UK's response to the Syria crisis since 2021, where - in committing £3.8 million - HMG is the third largest bilateral donor. On 7 February, HMG announced an uplift of £800,000 to the UK-funded White Helmets, who mobilised their response in North-West Syria immediately and continue to provide ongoing emergency response operations. In fact, since 6 February, White Helmets volunteers have been able to carry out search and rescue operations in 60 villages across 182 locations, helping thousands of civilians.
HMG announced an additional £8 million package of life-saving support to cover both Turkey and Syria on 8 February. This will provide provide vital items, such as tents and blankets to help survivors cope with the freezing conditions, as part of its immediate response to the crisis. This urgently-deployed equipment will meet the needs of up to 15,000 people. In addition, the UK is also providing a world-class team of UK medics with surgical capabilities and equipment to provide vital emergency treatment.
The British public has also displayed enormous generosity. On 8 February, the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) launched a joint appeal for Turkey and Syria, whereby the Government committed to match fund £5 million to support British aid organisations. This appeal has now raised over £84 million for both Turkey and Syria.
Moving into a new phase, from rescue to recovery, HMG is committing a further package of support to address urgent humanitarian needs in Turkey and Syria. The £25 million in new overseas aid will fund additional emergency relief, such as tents and blankets made homeless in freezing conditions. This funding will also support the work of the UN and aid agencies on the ground in Syria, helping communities ravaged by the war and this national disaster. There will be a particular focus on protecting women and girls, including by helping with childbirth and midwifery and reducing the risk of gender-based violence for communities who have been displaced.
Furthermore, this funding will support the ongoing development of world-class UK medical expertise through the joint MOD-FCDO Field Hospital established in Turkoglu, which was fully operational as of 15 February. This Hospital, which includes an emergency department, a 24/7 operating theatre and accompanying medical staff, is providing lifesaving medical care working side-by-side with Turkish medics.
The difficulty of humanitarian access to North-West Syria is a product of the ongoing conflict, including in areas hit by the earthquake, and the Assad regime’s sustained use of aid as a political weapon. Only a single crossing point - Bab al-Hawa - was originally open to humanitarian aid. On 13 February, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria opened the two crossing points of Bab Al-Salam and Al Ra'ee from Türkiye to north-west Syria for an initial period of three months to allow for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid.
I am glad the UK is a top donor to the UN's Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian fund, a multi-sector, multi-donor pooled fund that is the critical mechanism that allows the international community to respond flexibly to emergency needs cross-border. Be assured that while ensuring that UK assistance reaches those in need, wherever they are, HMG will continue its principled approach designed to encourage the Assad regime to cease its commission of atrocities and engage in the UN-facilitated political process, delivering on behalf of all Syria’s people.
I know HMG remains updated, via the British Embassy in Ankara and aid agencies on the ground in both countries, to understand how UK can continue to provide the best support to those on the ground.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.