Service Projects

On 6 February 2023, two devastating earthquakes struck southeast Türkiye and bordering Syria. This is the largest earthquake Türkiye and Syria have faced in over a century.

Foaz Sallom (56) and his family are one of the Syrian families who lost their home in the earthquake and are now living in a collective shelter. "I worked for 30 years to be able to afford my home. Now everything is gone. I don’t want to live in a shelter," he said.

The earthquakes caused widespread devastation in Türkiye and Syria. This disaster has come on top of more than a decade of protracted conflict in Syria. The humanitarian situation in Syria was already critical, with crumbling infrastructure, limited access to essential services, and millions of people in need. The situation for many survivors has become incalculably more difficult. In Turkiye, the earthquakes have severely damaged the settlements of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, leaving them again homeless.

The earthquake has not only caused loss of home of those affected but also brought insourmountable grief to countless families. “I don’t know what to do and my heart is so sad,” shared by Elif, who was injured in the earthquake and lost her husband.

The humanitarian needs are dire in the affected areas. The most urgent needs continue to be shelter, access to water, food, sanitation, and psychological support. For survivors, the journey to recovery has just started. The humanitarian needs in the affected areas will keep evolving over time and along relief progress.

Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and Turkish Red Cresent (TRC) have been responding continuously since the onset of this emergency. Staff and volunteers of the SARC and TRC play a critical role in saving lives. Many have been affected themselves, having lost their homes and loved ones, yet have been, and continue to be, at the forefront of responding to urgent humanitarian needs.

Up till February of 2023, The Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) has allocated over HK$4,4 million to provide thermal blankets, family tents, heaters, medical supplies and hygiene kits to earthquake-affected communities Türkiye and Syria, and continues to support those in need in relief and recovery.

Your donation will allow us to provide timely assistance to the vulnerable communitie. Together with the Red Cross, let’s bring hope to these people along the rocky road to recovery. Your support matters!