On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck central southern Türkiye, close to the Syrian border, followed by dozens of violent aftershocks. The loss of life and destruction across both countries is astounding, just as the images and stories are heartbreaking.
The United States immediately responded. On February 6, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. authorized an immediate U.S. response and directed the heads of federal agencies to rapidly mobilize to assist the Government of Türkiye and humanitarian partners in Syria.
The United States deployed Disaster Assistance Response Teams within hours and announced that we are providing $85 million to our initial response. As USAID search and rescue teams continue expanding their search across all hard-hit communities in Adiyaman, we are also planning beyond this initial stage for the long-term needs of the survivors and their communities.
The people of Türkiye and Syria need shelter, food, medical supplies, and clean water. USAID and our partners are already working to provide this critical support. The State Department is working through UN agencies and NGOs to provide emergency assistance in Türkiye and in Syria, including providing hot meals, water, medical care and supplies, non-food items such as blankets and hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and structural engineers.
For those who wish to help those affected by these devastating earthquakes, visit the Center for International Disaster Information’s Earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria page to find out where you can donate or volunteer.
Individuals in need of immediate, local emergency assistance in Türkiye should call Turkish authorities using the phone number 112.
U.S. citizens impacted by the earthquake should contact the U.S. Embassy Ankara at Ankara-ACS@state.gov. U.S. Consular Affairs staff in Türkiye and the United States are working tirelessly to provide consular assistance to U.S. citizen victims and their families in the affected areas. Information is available to U.S. citizens in the area through alerts, the U.S. embassy and consulate websites, and travel.state.gov.
Source: https://www.state.gov/turkiye-and-syria-earthquake-response/
Dover AFB Supports Turkiye Earthquake Relief Effort
Senior Airman Kevin Linder, 436th Aerial Port Squadron passenger service representative, walks to a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
Members of Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1, Fairfax County, Virginia, board a C-17 Globemaster III at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)
Urban Search and Rescue members from Fairfax County, Virginia, are boarded onto a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Faith Barron)
Airmen from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron load a pallet of cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)d a pallet of cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
An Urban Search and Rescue member from Fairfax County, Virginia, rubs his eyes while waiting to board a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
An Urban Search and Rescue member from Fairfax County, Virginia, rubs his eyes while waiting to board a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
An Urban Search and Rescue member from Fairfax County, Virginia, puts on cold weather gear prior to boarding a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
Airman Donovan Harris, left, and Airman 1st Class Jayden Stroup, right, 436th Aerial Port Squadron passenger service representatives, verify names of Urban Search and Rescue personnel from Fairfax County, Virginia, prior to boarding a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
An Urban Search and Rescue member from Fairfax County, Virginia, rests with her canine prior to boarding a C-17 Globemaster III on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 7, 2023. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is mobilizing emergency humanitarian assistance to respond to the devastating impacts following the worst earthquake to hit the region in almost a century. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez)
