The earthquakes of February 6 caused massive devastation across our country and left deep scars. The powerful tremors also struck northern Syria, leading to significant destruction there as well.
From the very first moments after the disaster, International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation (IBC) launched emergency response efforts and long-term support projects in cooperation with AFAD, the Turkish Red Crescent, municipalities, governorates, the Presidency of Migration Management, and all relevant stakeholders across Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Malatya, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, Adıyaman, and Diyarbakır.
Even months after one of the greatest disasters humanity has ever witnessed, our Foundation remained present in the region and continued its work. During this period, we completed the establishment of four community centers, child-friendly spaces, and a mother-and-child care center, while also launching numerous additional activities. With the approval of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, IBC provided psychosocial support in the earthquake-affected areas. Acknowledging the limited access to basic needs, we also deployed mobile kitchen, shower, and toilet facilities for earthquake survivors. Children were among the groups most severely affected by the disaster. For this reason, our Foundation prioritized newborns, children under the age of three, and school-aged children in its programming—offering support ranging from winter clothing to health services.
As 2023 drew to a close, our Foundation inaugurated Türkiye–Korea Friendship Village in Hatay Serinyol, established in partnership with AFAD and KOICA. The village, consisting of 170 containers and providing shelter for nearly 2,000 people, hosted distributions of essential items, women’s empowerment programs, psychosocial support services, and employment initiatives. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and international humanitarian organizations, underscoring the strength of solidarity in the region.
Parallel to its activities in Türkiye, our Foundation also implemented several projects for communities displaced by the earthquake in Northern Syria. After extensive assessments, we resolved the critical water shortage in Soran, where the main water tank had become inoperable. A new 100-cubic-meter water tank was constructed, and restoration work began on the damaged 50-cubic-meter tank in the same area.
Within the scope of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project, joint efforts with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) led to the completion of four toilet blocks and two shower facilities in the IVA Camp in Azaz. Preparations also continued for an agreement to construct 21 toilet blocks in the nearby Brotherhood Camp.
The earthquake in Northern Syria and the shifting dynamics inside the country nearly a year later, combined with the ongoing civil war, further worsened conditions, leaving hundreds more people without homes. To offer a lasting solution to the region’s housing crisis, IBC, in collaboration with IDRF Canada, launched a new housing project in the Akhtarin area. The development consists of six buildings—each four stories high, covering 70 square meters per unit, and containing 18 apartments. Now in its final stages, the project is being implemented on land allocated by AFAD with infrastructure support from the Aleppo Governorate. By the end of the year, 100 Syrian families who lost their homes to the earthquake and the war will move into their new houses.
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The Community Center established within the housing complex will serve as a hub for social interaction and education for women and youth. The center will include a tailoring workshop and a computer laboratory, providing vocational training as well as various social activities. In doing so, the project aims not only to address housing needs but also to support livelihoods and strengthen community resilience.
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In the first half of December, an inauguration ceremony will be held to mark the completion of the project, with participation from officials from Türkiye and Syria, as well as representatives from AFAD, IBC, and IDRF. IBC President Recep Üker and Programs Director Tolga Baca recently visited Akhtarin to inspect the progress on the ground. The relocation of eligible families to their new homes is planned to be completed by the end of 2025.
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IBC firmly believes that completing one of the most comprehensive and respected projects in Syria stands as a powerful reflection of Türkiye’s lasting contributions to the region. This project is not only building new homes, but also planting seeds of hope for the future.
