Responding to the Earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria

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 were providing $85 million to our initial response. 

On February 19, Secretary Blinken announced that we are providing an additional $100 million in humanitarian assistance, bringing total U.S. aid to $185 million. 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.