World Vision Singapore Commits S$100,000 to Support the Urgent Needs of Thousands Impacted by the Catastrophic Earthquake

7 February 2023 – World Vision Singapore has committed an initial S$100,000, with plans to announce a public fundraising appeal shortly, to support the immediate basic needs of the children and families impacted by the catastrophic earthquake that hit a wide area in south-eastern Türkiye and Northern Syria, killing more than 2,600 people and trapping many others.

World Vision is working rapidly to assess potential impacts to already displaced children and communities in the wake of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck in the early hours of Monday morning, sending tremors across the region. The earthquake hit a wide area in south-eastern Türkiye and Northern Syria, killing more than 1000 people and trapping many others. Reports of new deaths and injuries are being confirmed on the hour.

"While we were sleeping, the house started shaking; I immediately ran to my children; I did not know which one to carry; I could not reach the door, the distance was very far, and a minute of time was like years of helplessness and fear, and the fear continues with the aftershocks. Most of the people are on the streets in the snow and rain, with many destroyed buildings, many victims, and many still trapped under the rubble" confirmed a World Vision staff member in Northern Syria.

World Vision’s priority will include supporting affected people with access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), health, shelter, and protection. Our immediate response areas will cover Gaziantep and Sanliurfa in Türkiye, as well as Azaz, Afrin, and Idlib in northern Syria.

We’re distributing fuel and heat to shelters as cold and sub-zero temperatures are of immediate concern. Initial assessments indicate that that there are needs for fuel to medical facilities and collective emergency shelters for heating purposes and electricity along with food and key non-food items (tents, blankets, mattresses, tarpaulins, and heaters).

“In the middle of a harsh winter, already incredibly vulnerable children and families have now been shaken to their core by this devastating earthquake, which is likely to affect thousands in Northern Syria and southern Türkiye. said Lilian Chung, National Director for World Vision Singapore. “World Vision is already on the ground and have already begun distributing fuel and heat to shelters. We will do everything we can to help those who were affected.”

World Vision has been working in the Middle East region for nearly 40 years. We’re dedicated to improving the lives of children, families, and the communities where they live through long-term sustainable development as well as responding to disasters — both natural and man-made.

For more information on World Vision’s emergency response for children affected by the catastrophic earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, visit https://worldvision.org.sg/turkeysyriaearthquakeresponse.

For further information and media interviews, please contact Patricia Ng, Marketing Communications Manager at patricia.ng@worldvision.org.sg.