CAFOD and SCIAF launch Syria Turkey earthquake appeals

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) have launched emergency appeals in response to the devastating Syria Turkey earthquake, which has already killed thousands of people.

The agencies partners were already responding to the severe humanitarian need in Syria, which meant they were able to support the emergency effort as soon as the earthquake hit.

The response has included supporting the search and rescue operation, as well as helping with the humanitarian need that arises when earthquakes hit, such as making sure people have water, hot meals, warm clothes and moving them to safe places.

To ensure teams on the ground can continue in their efforts, CAFOD has committed an initial £100,000 in support. SCIAF has released £20,000 for partners and are liaising closely with them to determine how best to help.

Supporting these appeals will help those responding to the search and rescue operation, as well as ensuring they can deliver the humanitarian aid that will be needed in the coming weeks, months and even years.

The earthquake has proved particularly catastrophic in Syria, as the infrastructure was already damaged from a brutal conflict.

Hombeline Dulière, CAFOD's Programme Manager for Syria Crisis Response said: "While the eyes of the world have been elsewhere, our partners in Syria remained on the ground responding to the severe humanitarian need in the country. This meant that when the earthquake tragically hit, they were already there and were able to respond quickly to the disaster.

"Our partners are working tirelessly to support the search and rescue operation, as well as making sure people have water, hot meals, warm clothing and somewhere safe to go.

"It is heart-breaking that this disaster has hit people who have already suffered so much. The impact has been catastrophic and will be felt in the country for years to come."

CAFOD is also calling on the international community, including the UN, governments and international NGOs, to focus on supporting local organisations already rooted in the community.

It is civil society networks and organisations already embedded in the communities affected by the crisis that can most effectively get aid to people who are in need, and offer hope for recovery over the longer-term.

Alistair Dutton, Director of SCIAF, has many years' experience of humanitarian aid and led the response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti in his previous role as Humanitarian Director of Caritas Internationalis. He said: "It is heart breaking to see the scale of destruction caused by the earthquake and the level of suffering it has caused."

To support CAFOD's appeal see: www.cafod.org.uk.

You can help SCIAF's Syria-Türkiye Earthquake Appeal here: www.sciaf.org.uk/get-involved/appeals/475-2023-syria-turkey-earthquake-appeal