The earthquake was followed by 78 aftershocks in the weeks that followed, affecting a population of over 18 million people in both countries. In the middle of winter, the survivors who had escaped the building collapses risked freezing in exposed conditions and needed shelter, food, and health care. The health care needs in the affected areas remain critical. Antibiotics, access to medication for chronic diseases, mental health and psychosocial support, maternal and child health are just a few examples of the needs of victims over the past year.
Médecins du Monde was on the ground from day one to provide an emergency response in the affected areas in Türkiye and northwestern Syria (NWS), in the government-controlled areas (GCA) of Syria, and in the northeastern part of Aleppo, Syria.
Over the past year, the international network of Médecins du Monde has provided comprehensive health services, including primary health care, medication distribution, sexual and reproductive health and rights services, distribution of dignity, hygiene, and maternity kits, individual and group mental health and psychosocial support services, protection, case management, and support to secondary health care facilities. Mobile medical units (MMUs) were set up to serve hard-to-reach areas, and a safe space adapted for women and children was deployed to reach the most vulnerable populations.
Médecins du Monde provided in Syria:
- Over 425k consultations
- 30k hygiene and maternity kits
Zainab is a displaced woman in Syria.
She lost her two children in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that devastated Türkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023. She lives in a tent with her husband.
She and her husband receive medical and psychological treatment at the Médecins du Monde health center in Afrin, located in Aleppo, Syria.
“They are kind and good people. When I go to the clinic, I feel much better. I hope that one day all people can live in peace and safety.”
Based in Amman, Médecins du Monde has been working in Syria since 2008. Through partnerships with local medical NGOs, we indirectly support a network of primary health care centers (PHCC), mobile medical units (MMUs), and community centers in the government-controlled areas (GCA) of Syria.