Project HOPE Remains Committed to a Long-Term Earthquake Response in Türkiye and Syria

Posted: May 16, 2023

Washington, DC (16 May 2023) – Project HOPE – the global health and humanitarian aid organization – has registered as a recognized international non-governmental organization in Türkiye, paving the way for a longer-term presence in the country to provide continued support for earthquake survivors. Now with a localized base in Gaziantep, Project HOPE is committed to continuing to support those impacted by the earthquakes.  

More than 26 million people in Türkiye and Syria have been affected by the two deadly earthquakes in February and the aftershocks that followed. To date, an estimated 50,000 people in Türkiye and 6,000 people in Syria have died. Within hours of the earthquake, Project HOPE’s Emergency Response team was activated and, as part of a commitment to providing localized humanitarian aid, Project HOPE has established partnerships with local organizations between Türkiye and northern Syria to address the health needs of impacted communities.  

“It will be a long and arduous road to recover and rebuild from a tragedy of this scale, and there will continue to be an overwhelming need for humanitarian assistance for those who have lost everything and remain displaced from their homes throughout the earthquake-impacted areas of Türkiye and Syria,” said Project HOPE’s Türkiye Country Director, Adam Jacovou. “While the news cycle and the emergency response teams have long moved on, Project HOPE remains committed to a long-term presence in the region and will continue to work alongside our local partners to support the community with health support, mental health services, and basic needs around shelter and sanitation.” 

There have been reports that estimate that more than 500,000 houses were either severely damaged or collapsed after the earthquakes. An estimated 3.3 million people have been displaced across Türkiye and need health services, mental health support, non-food items, protection services, shelter and water. To continuously and effectively respond to the needs of this community, Project HOPE has provided accommodation containers in Adıyaman and Kahramanmaraş to house health workers who have been displaced from their homes.  

Project HOPE’s response activities: 

  • Provided 70 housing containers to address basic shelter needs for displaced populations and health workers in Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, and Hatay 
  • Delivered 5,000 pounds of medicines and medical supplies and products 
  • Provided 7 generators to Gaziantep’s Ministry of Health to support health facilities and health activities  
  • Delivered 14 baby incubators to health facilities in Gaziantep 
  • Distributed 13,000 hygiene kits, including family and baby hygiene kits, for vulnerable populations in underserved rural areas throughout Kahramanmaraş 
  • Donated 750 sleeping bags to the Health Directorate in Adıyaman for health workers  
  • Delivered 150 mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches to Gaziantep’s Ministry of Health to support earthquake survivors with disabilities 
  • Supporting local partners in Syria to provide health support through mobile medical units in the A’zaz and Darat Izza districts  

Due to an immense need in mental health and psychosocial support, Project HOPE has partnered with local organizations to provide mental health services and create safe spaces for earthquake survivors and health workers. Since the response began, Project HOPE’s team conducted a needs assessment to identify the greatest needs of the earthquake-impacted area and is now exploring the establishment of a Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, to assure that affected populations have access to water and hygiene items.  

Project HOPE will continue to support and identify local partners to deliver essential services to address the health and humanitarian needs of impacted communities across Türkiye and Syria.

Interviews with members of Project HOPE’s emergency response team – including staff on-the-ground – are available upon request. Photos and b-roll are available here.  

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About Project HOPE  

Founded in 1958, Project HOPE is a leading global health and humanitarian organization operating in more than 25 countries around the world. We work side-by-side with local health systems to save lives and improve health. Our mission is at the epicenter of today’s greatest health challenges, including infectious and chronic diseases, disasters and health crises, maternal, neonatal and child health and the policies that impact how health care is delivered. For more information on Project HOPE and its work around the world, visit www.projecthope.org and follow us on Twitter @ProjectHOPEorg.