2024-02-01 08:53:17
When the earth shook in the Turkish-Syrian border area shortly following 4 a.m. on February 6, 2023, millions of people lost their homes, their families and their jobs.
Vienna (OTS) – Even a year following the devastating earthquake, everyday life has still not returned to people in the affected areas in Turkey and Syria. Reconstruction is underway, but will take years. A lot of people are still staying in emergency accommodation, such as containers or tents. In many places, destroyed water and sewer pipes have not yet been restored.
The earthquake has destroyed many people’s livelihoods; they no longer have a job and cannot support themselves. There is a lack of clean water, food, hygiene products and, in winter, especially warm clothing and heating options. The emergency shelters are not designed for long-term use and do not offer sufficient protection once morest flooding, cold and wet conditions. In addition, there is a lack of infrastructure such as sanitary facilities and adequate medical care.
The situation in the affected areas in Syria is particularly challenging: Even before the earthquake, more than 4 million people around Aleppo, Latakia and Hama needed humanitarian support.
Andreas Knapp, Foreign Aid Secretary General of Caritas Austria and CEO of NACHBAR IN NOT, knows the affected region well and was able to get an impression of the situation on site following the earthquake: “The situation is particularly dramatic for the people in Syria, most of those affected are Displaced people from the civil war and have lost everything for the second time within a short period of time. Our mission in Syria is also regarding providing psychosocial support to traumatized people and giving them hope for a better future.”
The relief efforts of NEIGHBOR IN NOTHING: food, hygiene products, water supply, accommodation, reconstruction aid, school lessons, psychosocial support
ORF and NEIGHBOR IN NOTHING reacted quickly and launched the joint relief campaign “NEIGHBOR IN NOTHING – earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria” the day following the earthquake. The willingness to help in Austria was great: within a short time, 11.4 million euros were donated to the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.
Michael Opriesnig, Secretary General of the Austrian Red Cross and Board of NACHBAR IN NOT, thanks all donors for their support: “In times of multiple crises and financial challenges for many people, it is a special sign of humanity and compassion that so many in Austria are supporting who donated to earthquake victims. We would like to thank you very much for this. Without this support, our work, with which we have been able to help thousands of those affected, would not be possible.”
The international aid operation by Caritas, Red Cross, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, CARE, Diakonie, Hilfewerk International, Malteser Hospitaldienst and Volkshilfe as part of NEIGHBOR IN NOTHING began immediately. To date, 16 aid projects have been launched in the affected regions, including 12 in Syria and 4 in Turkey. Many of the projects will continue in 2024 as the need for help is still very high.
Local assistance comes in the form of water, food, hygiene products, blankets, lamps, medical supplies and shelter. Due to inflation (the Syrian pound has lost 53% of its value in the past year), many people can no longer support themselves and are supported with cash. This allows them self-determination, while at the same time saving transport costs and stimulating the local economy. NACHBAR IN NOT supports, among other things, in Aleppo with the reconstruction of water systems, water treatment and provides mobile sanitary facilities. Local people are trained in hygiene measures and informed regarding risks such as the outbreak of cholera.
People whose companies were destroyed by the earthquake receive support for reconstruction through repair work, training or financial grants and can thus generate income once more in the future. Since a large number of schools were destroyed and children were unable to attend classes for a long time, they receive tutoring and additional psychosocial support.
One year following the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the situation for the local people is still very tense. Many of the aid projects started as part of NEIGHBOR IN NOTHING will continue in 2024 and can be supported with donations.
ORF General Director Mag. Roland Weißmann: “The ORF and the aid organizations of NACHBAR IN NOT reacted quickly a year ago when the people in Syria and Turkey needed quick help. Even today, this local help is still urgently needed, which is why the ORF naturally continues to support the NACHBAR IN NOT relief campaign in all of its media and state studios. In addition to the aid organizations, my thanks also go to the people in Austria, who are committed to helping the population in the affected regions with their never-ending willingness to donate.”
The ORF has supported the relief campaign from the beginning with calls for donations on television, radio and online as well as reporting in all media and state studios and is accompanying the anniversary with current reporting.
Pius Strobl, head of the Corporate Social Responsibility department and therefore ORF director NACHBAR IN NOT: “In order to help people rebuild, the donations to NACHBAR IN NOT are an important basis for the aid organizations working on site. We are very grateful that so many people in Austria donated and thereby sent a signal that they do not care regarding people’s suffering.”
Donation options:
NEIGHBOR IN NEED – Earthquake victims Türkiye and Syria
IBAN: AT75 2011 1400 4004 4001
BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
Questions & Contact:
Claudia Gasteiger
Communication NEIGHBOR IN NEED
T +43/1/589 00-723
M +43/664/787 869 50
E claudia.gasteiger@nachbarinnot.at
W nachbarinnot.orf.at
1706777633
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