Heavy earthquake in the north of Syria and Turkey: CADUS supports the Emergency Response of the Kurdish Red Crescent.

In the early morning hours, a severe earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 M shook the region in the border area between Syria and Turkey. Further strong quakes followed in the course of the day. By the afternoon, more than 2,000 people had already been counted dead, and tens of thousands more have been directly affected by the disaster. CADUS supports the Emergency Response of the Kurdish Red Crescent with medicine and vital non-food items.

CADUS employees in the eastern part of northeastern Syria were jolted from their sleep by the earthquake, and the shock still runs deep. Fortunately, apart from a minor injury, nothing happened to them.

But in the northwest of the country, the extent of the destruction is severe. The earthquake has hit people who have suffered for years from the conflicts in the region, and who now, in the coldest time of the year, also have to deal with destroyed houses and infrastructure, and with many injured. Our partner organization, the Kurdish Red Crescent (KRC), immediately started emergency aid on the ground in northern Syria. Since the early morning, KRC first responders have been treating those affected by the earthquake in Aleppo, Kobane, Tal Rifaat and Manbij.

The earthquake claimed thousands of lives and wounded in the affected region and caused major damage, such as here in Kobane. Photo: KRC

The area is extremely difficult to access for humanitarian organizations due to the complicated political situation: It is located in territory controlled by Turkey, and is separated from Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syria by an area controlled by the Syrian regime. KRC operating on the ground there is anything but a given, and carries significant risk for the organization.

We support KRC in their efforts. Your donations will support directly those affected by the earthquake!