ReliefWeb: Updates by Country

16.07.2024 18:51 Country: Türkiye Source: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations On 15 July, a wildfire occurred in a forested area located in the Çesme district, Izmir province, western Türkiye, resulting in casualties. According to media, three people died following this event and residents living in the villages around the affected area have been evacuated. The authorities deployed resources both on the ground and in the air to battle the fire. Over the next 24 hours, according to the JRC European Forest Fire Information System , the fire danger forecast is from high to extreme across the affected area.

16.07.2024 02:10 Country: Türkiye Source: Rotary More than US$4 million funds water, education, agriculture supplies, and equipment for affected communities By Etelka Lehoczky The relief efforts and funding Rotary provided after last year’s devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria show that Rotary members create hope where it is needed, said RI President R. Gordon R. McInally during a visit to the country. “Having met the Rotary members in Hatay province, Turkey, I know that they will be there to help rebuild their community,” McInally said while visiting affected areas in April. Among many stops, he toured a kindergarten and a vocational school that Rotary members resupplied and a mobile kitchen and bakery they outfitted. “I thank Rotary members for helping Create Hope in the World for those so badly affected by the disaster,” McInally added, referencing his presidential theme. Since the earthquake and aftershocks in February 2023, which killed more than 55,000 people, Rotary has distributed over US$4 million to support affected communities. Aid efforts were confined to Turkey since Rotary has no clubs in Syria. Members have assembled container cities for housing, built water treatment plants, provided seedlings and cows to farmers, given equipment to hospitals, donated computers for students, and opened a veterinary clinic. Immediately after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, Rotary established a dedicated disaster response fund that received more than US$2.7 million in contributions. Additional aid efforts used global grants totaling about US$1.4 million. “Once Rotary members witnessed what had happened, they came and provided help,” says Sezgin Acioğlu, a member of the Rotary Club of İskenderun, Turkey. “It was agile. It was very quick, very fast. It … encouraged everybody to help.” Aid for immediate and long-term needs The immediate aid included a search-and-rescue van, hospital supplies, tents, sleeping bags, and air conditioners. Rotary districts in Turkey helped the government set up three communities with housing made of shipping containers. It was challenging to find high-quality, affordable containers, says governor-nominee Lütfi Can Çığırgan of District 2430, because so many companies began manufacturing them right after the earthquake. Fortunately, a Rotary member in Adana, one of the major cities affected, was able to recommend a reputable company there, Çığırgan says. “We were able to avoid buying the containers at a huge price — something we are always keen on as Rotarians,” he says. Rotary members also built water treatment plants for two of the container cities. “Our systems collect water in tanks of 400 tons each and send it to the container cities with the help of pumps,” says Mehmet Altay, the governor of District 2420. “The water passing through our treatment facilities has the same quality as bottled water and is good enough to drink, make tea, and cook.” Other projects have included a mobile dental clinic, temporary classrooms, and school computers. “Rotary can still make a significant difference in the lives of earthquake victims,” Altay says. “Everyone who drinks the water in the facility we established thanks and prays for Rotary. We make a difference in the lives of children when they prepare homework on the computers given to them by Rotary. And in our mobile education vehicle, which is equipped with a computer, students can do research on any subject they want.” Agricultural supplies and equipment and farm animals were another significant category of donations. The districts provided machines that farmers could share to harvest potatoes and make silage . The districts also donated seeds, seedlings, saplings, and pregnant cows that will help quickly rebuild herds. “We want to make life go on. Otherwise, people from that area will go to other sides of the country. They won’t go back if there is no life there, no economic movement,” Çığırgan says. Altay’s district also supplied a hospital in Hatay’s Dörtyol district with a pediatric echocardiography device and replaced damaged operating room equipment at Adıyaman Education and Research Hospital. “Spinal cord and brain surgeries, which could not be performed, started to be performed again,” Altay says. Building a veterinary clinic to help lost pets To help pets that were hurt or abandoned after the earthquake, District 2420 established a veterinary clinic in Adıyaman province and supplied equipment for treatment and surgery. Staffers at the clinic spay and neuter the animals, tend to their wounds, and vaccinate them to help prevent diseases like rabies, which can spread to humans. Rotary members also donated a vehicle to bring animals to the clinic. “During our visits to the earthquake area, we saw many dogs and cats wandering among the ruins, having lost their families who looked after them,” Altay says. “Some were injured and needed urgent medical attention. … This clinic will save improve the health of thousands of animals.” The veterinary clinic was named for Proteo, a rescue dog donated by Mexico, who died while searching for earthquake survivors in the rubble. “It will ensure that the name Proteo and the aid of the Mexican nation will be remembered forever,” Altay says.

15.07.2024 17:20 Country: Türkiye Sources: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies, Turkish Red Crescent Society, World Food Programme Please refer to the attached file. Following two devastating earthquakes in southeastern Turkey in February 2023, the UN WFP and the Türk Kızılay KIZILAYKART collaborated on a study using the Minimum Expenditure Basket methodology and analysis. This study aimed to assess and quantify basic needs to support emergency response efforts. More than a year after these devastating earthquakes, relief efforts are still underway in the most affected areas. The average earthquake-affected household consists of five people, including two children and three adults, based on pre-earthquake population data and field assessments. The food component of the Minimum Expenditure Basket covers expenditures related to a nutritionally balanced diet, while expenditures related to health, shelter, education, transportation, and communication are calculated according to Sphere standards. The monthly calculations are using Consumption Price Index data provided by the TURKSTAT. In June 2024, the cost of the Minimum Expenditure Basket increased by 3.48 percent compared to May 2024, reaching 2,996 TRY per individual and 14,831 TRY for a household of five. The increase in shelter components has been driving the MEB calculation. Despite the slight decreases in two consecutive months , food prices indicate an upward movement again. After surpassing the food share in March 2024, rent expenditure has retained its first place at the top of the MEB component share. In addition, the annual inflation rate lost momentum and decreased from 76 percent to 72 percent, while the monthly inflation rate was actualized at 1.64 percent.

11.07.2024 11:30 Countries: Syrian Arab Republic, Türkiye Source: World Food Programme Please refer to the attached file. Quarterly Update WFP continues the in-camp e-voucher programme in collaboration with the Turkish Red Crescent , providing around 42,000 beneficiaries in six camps in the southeast with a monthly assistance of Turkish Lira 300 per person. The Presidency of Migration Management adopted a camp decongestion strategy which involves closing some of the camps and consolidating vulnerable refugee households with special needs in Adana camp. Accordingly, the WFP-assisted Apaydin camp in Hatay was closed in March and camp residents were supported by PMM to settle in urban areas or move back to Syria. WFP is formulating a new project to support voluntary relocation of camp residents through resilience-building activities and multi-purpose cash assistance to households wishing to resettle in urban areas in stages. Monitoring The food basket cost in the contracted shops in the six camps hosting Syrian refugees increased from TRY 967 to TRY 979 between January and March, representing a 2 percent increase. According to the Q1 2024 In-camp Post Distribution Monitoring Report, economic factors remain the primary determinants of food security among refugees with 23 percent of households classified as food insecure and 74 percent as vulnerable to food insecurity. Gender disparities persist with 88 percent reporting that women do not contribute to the household income. 54 percent rely on casual unskilled wage labour, indicating a shift towards self-reliance. This is parallel with the finding that WFP assistance is the secondary income source for 75 percent of the households. However, 84 percent rely on at least one type of coping behaviour, which emphasizes the ongoing importance of external support. Finally, positive trends were observed in accountability and program awareness, with 98 percent reporting respectful treatment and 58 percent stating that they are adequately informed about WFP’s programme.

10.07.2024 17:40 Country: Türkiye Source: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Heavy rainfall has been affecting northern and eastern Türkiye since 7 July, causing floods and triggering landslides that have resulted in casualties and damage. The affected provinces are Ordu, Samsun, Mus, Erzurum, Elazig and Agri. Media report, as of 9 July, two fatalities, of which one in the Çaybasi district, Ordu province and one more in the Malazgirt district, Mus province. Damaged buildings were also reported across all the aforementioned affected provinces. Over the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall is still forecasted over north-eastern Türkiye.

09.07.2024 07:11 Country: Türkiye Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. As per the published on 07 June 2023, this Emergency Appeal seeks a total of CHF 750 million Federation-Wide Funding Requirement, out of which CHF 400 million is funded via the IFRC Secretariat, whereas CHF 350 million is to be funded through Turkish Red Crescent’s domestic fundraising and bilateral contributions. This revised Appeal is currently 38 per cent funded with 151 million CHF in hard pledges. Further funding is needed to enable TRC, with the support of the IFRC, to continue addressing immediate, early recovery and recovery needs for people affected by the earthquake. A. SITUATION ANALYSIS Description of the crisis On 6 February 2023, Türkiye experienced two significant earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6, striking the south-eastern region and impacting 11 provinces , affecting approximately 16 million people. These twin earthquakes, accompanied by numerous aftershocks, stand as one of the deadliest in the nation's history, leaving behind widespread devastation and profound socio-economic impact. Refer to the graph below to understand the distribution of high-density and high-damage areas across Türkiye following the earthquakes. The earthquakes caused a death toll of over 53,0001, over 107,000 people were injured, and extensive damages were inflicted to vital buildings and infrastructure such as schools, healthcare facilities, and roads. The scale of displacement was unprecedented, with an estimated 3 million people forced to leave their homes. The earthquakes exacerbated the difficulties faced by both refugees and the host communities. The region was home to approximately 13 million people, among which 1.8 million were refugees. After the earthquakes, approximately 3 million people have been displaced and over half a million buildings have been damaged. The road infrastructure in the affected regions has been heavily affected, hindering access to remote villages and districts, especially during the initial days of the disaster. Overall, 17 provinces have been affected by the earthquake, directly impacting an estimated 9.1 million people, according to the assessments by AFAD . The climate and general weather conditions in the earthquake region have exacerbated the difficulties already faced by communities and this is expected to continue in the same way. The winters tend to be quite severe with strong winds, low temperatures, rain, and snow. During spring and fall, heavy rains often lead to flooding. Also, summers tend to be quite intense in the earthquake affected area; temperatures may reach around 45º C, with the humidity level climbing up to 70 per cent. Consequently, the needs of the affected population persist, requiring sustained and dedicated support to be addressed. Since the earthquakes, the most affected cities, such as Hatay and Osmaniye also experienced floods, which impact the quality of life especially in temporary living cites and disrupt infrastructure. Government authorities, working alongside other entities, continue to move impacted communities from temporary container settlements to permanent housing areas. The impact of the earthquakes in some of the main areas on which TRC provides services are as follows: Livelihoods: According to reports from the Government of Türkiye, the 11 provinces affected by the earthquakes contributed 9.8 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product in 2021 by generating around USD 79 million in the national income. In particular, Gaziantep, Adana, and Hatay were the most significant contributors to the national economic growth in 2021. The region's GDP is composed of 8.6 per cent in agriculture, 30.5 per cent in industry, 5.2 per cent in construction, 45.2 per cent in services, and 10.6 per cent in tax subsidies. As of 2021, the earthquake-affected region had 3.8 million employed individuals across 11 provinces, representing 13.3 per cent of the national employment. Out of these, 2.3 million were in formal employment and 1.5 million in informal employment, accounting for around 39 per cent of the total employment in the region. However, the labour participation rates and employment rates were notably lower for women compared to men, and the region also faced unemployment challenges, particularly affecting women’s independent livelihood security. The earthquake had a significant impact on the GDP per capita in the affected regions, with a decline of nine per cent overall. This economic downturn has tangible consequences, impacting the livelihoods of around 658,000 workers and rendering over 220,000 workplaces unusable. Mental Health and Psycho-social Support : Sudden natural disasters affect the mental health of individuals negatively, primarily due to the loss of loved ones, homes, and possessions as well as the overall damage to their lives. Depending on the nature and extent of losses, those directly affected may face from socio-economic difficulties such risk of poverty or discrimination and, the breakdown of social support systems related to family separation, loss of community or traditional support, disrupted social networks. These difficulties can lead to mental health issues including grief, stress reactions, depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally emotional and behavioural problems such as sleeping difficulties, anger, hopelessness, irritability and guilt are common. The psychological effects of the disaster are particularly major among vulnerable groups including children, women, older people, refugees, and people with pre-existing mental health conditions. For those groups the loss of resources, daily routine, control over possessions and, social support is linked to heightened levels of acute psychological distress. Furthermore, they often may face additional challenges due to limited language proficiency, physical mobility, cultural differences, and other factors that can impede their access to disaster-relief services and their ability to rebuild their lives and communities. Individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions may encounter exacerbated symptoms, decreased access to regular mental health care, increased stigma, and difficulties in managing their conditions without their usual support systems. In the aftermath of a disaster, pre-existing vulnerabilities exacerbated the direct consequences of the catastrophe. Addressing these needs requires specific, targeted, linguistically and culturally appropriate psychosocial support services, which are essential for recovery.

06.07.2024 04:00 Countries: Syrian Arab Republic, Türkiye, United States of America, World Source: US Agency for International Development Please refer to the attached file. CONTEXT Türkiye hosted the largest refugee population globally—approximately 3.7 million refugees, including 3.1 million Syrian refugees—as of May, according to the UN. Although the Government of Türkiye grants Syrian refugees —approximately 60 percent of whom reside in Türkiye— temporary protection status, permitting lawful residency in the country and access to basic services and livelihood opportunities, many refugees continue to face obstacles in entering the labor market, heightening humanitarian needs within the population, according to USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance partner the UN World Food Program . Language barriers, a lack of recognition of refugees' educational credentials, and employers’ unwillingness to provide work permits increase refugees’ exposure to informal labor and their likelihood of accepting lower wages, resulting in reduced purchasing power and exacerbated reliance on humanitarian assistance for refugee households. On February 6, 2023, two earthquakes—each at least magnitude 7.5—struck central-southern Türkiye resulting in the deaths of an estimated 50,783 people, injury to approximately 107,000 people, and the displacement of up to 3.3 million individuals, according to the GoT. In total, the earthquakes directly adversely affected 9.1 million people and damaged or destroyed an estimated 710,000 buildings, of which, approximately 280,000 collapsed or sustained severe damage, according to the GoT. Further, more than 30,000 aftershocks and heavy rainfall in the wake of the earthquakes resulted in flooding and approximately 2,800 landslides, collectively causing the deaths of at least 112 individuals, according to local media and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees . Although the GoT had rebuilt 46,000 new houses as of January 2024, shelter support remains a critical need among earthquake-affected households, in addition to livelihood and psychosocial support services, according to relief actors and international media. Reduced purchasing power due to rising food prices and annual inflation has increased vulnerability to food insecurity among the approximately 60,000 refugees who were residing across eight camps in earthquake-affected areas of southeastern Türkiye as of May, according to WFP. Approximately 23 percent of refugee households residing in the camps were food insecure and 74 percent of refugee households residing in camps were vulnerable to food insecurity in early 2024, according to an in-camp post-distribution monitoring report by the UN agency covering January to March. As a result of refugees’ persistent economic vulnerability and challenges accessing food, an estimated 84 percent of households living in camps reported adopting one or more negative coping mechanisms, such as borrowing money to buy food, limiting adult food consumption to allow children to eat, reducing quantity or portion size of meals, and relying on less preferred or cheaper food, WFP reports. ASSISTANCE In response to a GoT request for international assistance following the February earthquakes, USAID/BHA activated a Washington, D.C.-based Response Management Team and deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team and an Urban Search and Rescue Team in early February 2023 to respond to critical humanitarian needs in Türkiye through late March 2023. USAID/BHA provided more than $72 million in earthquake response funding to support humanitarian partners in Türkiye providing food, health, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance. WFP has provided more than $11.2 million in multipurpose cash assistance and livelihoods support, reached 1.6 million people with food assistance, and distributed nearly $1.6 million in cash assistance to affected populations since the onset of the earthquake emergency response in February 2023. During the month, USAID/BHA partner the International Organization for Migration distributed nearly 845 metric tons of USAID/BHA relief commodities, including hygiene kits, kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, thermal blankets, and water buckets, to support shelter and WASH needs in earthquake-affected areas of Türkiye. In addition, USAID/BHA partner the UN Children’s Fund reached more than 387,000 caregivers and children with mental health and psychosocial support in February 2023 and approximately 2.7 million children and women with gender-based violence mitigation and service-provision awareness-raising messaging through social media. UNICEF had provided hygiene supplies to more than 440,000 people, safe drinking water to 355,000 people, and improved access to sanitation services to nearly 8,700 people as of June 2023. The WASH sector—led by UNICEF and comprising 18 partners—had reached nearly 3.5 million people across 11 provinces with assistance as of the same date. Syrian refugees residing in camps and container cities in earthquake-affected areas of southeastern Türkiye continue to experience increased food insecurity and reduced purchasing power. In response, USAID/BHA has provided $6.2 million in FY 2024 funding to WFP to provide multipurpose cash assistance to 13,000 earthquake-affected refugees in temporary container cities, helping them meet critical food and non-food needs. WFP also continues to prioritize emergency food assistance for vulnerable and food-insecure camp-based refugees in Türkiye, including the approximately 34,000 most at-risk refugees who reside in six camps in southeast Türkiye. USAID/BHA has supported the provision of emergency food assistance to camp-based refugees, primarily Syrians fleeing civil war, in Türkiye since 2012.

03.07.2024 16:51 Countries: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Egypt, Iran , Iraq, Liberia, Morocco, occupied Palestinian territory, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, World, Yemen Source: International Organization for Migration Please refer to the attached file. According to the latest figures from the Turkish Presidency of Migration Management , there are more than 4.5 million foreigners in Türkiye, of whom 3.4 million are seeking international protection. Most of them are Syrians who have been granted temporary protection status. Another group of foreigners are international protection holders mainly from Iraq, Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Ukraine. In 2023, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees , there were 296,685 refugees and asylum-seekers in Türkiye. In addition, 1,125,623 foreigners with residence permits were in Türkiye as of May 2024, which is 175,714 people less than in May 2023.