The devastating earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye and northern Syria on 6 February caused over 4540 deaths and nearly 9000 injuries in northwest Syria. Around 90 000 Syrians have been displaced in the northwest and many have found refuge in overcrowded camps and reception collective centres.
The catastrophe has disrupted access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, exposing the population to an increased risk of water-borne diseases, including cholera.
UNICEF and partners are on the ground kicking off a cholera vaccination campaign in coordination with health authorities. 1,400 teams of health workers and community volunteers will implement the ten-day campaign using a house-to-house strategy, as well as reaching displaced people living in camps, markets, and school sites.
During the campaign, 1.7 million doses of cholera vaccine will be used to protect Syrians above one year of age, especially those living in the areas most severely impacted by the earthquake and at highest risk of cholera.
We urgently need your support to respond to the needs of children affected by this earthquake.
Please make an urgent donation.
“This vaccination campaign is vital as it will provide much-needed protection for children and their families and will help curb the spread of the disease, which can put millions of people at risk.” - Maddalena Bertolotti UNICEF Deputy Regional Director programmes for the Middle East and North Africa.
We can’t afford to wait, and we urgently need your support to reach children. Please make an urgent donation today.
Twelve years into the conflict, economic downturn, and displacement and a devastating earthquake have left hundreds of thousands of families struggling to survive in Syria. Now, with cholera cases on the rise, the impact of such a devastating earthquake makes the situation even more desperate. We cannot wait – please donate to help us save lives.
Your donation can make a huge difference. Please help now!
A child receives a dose of cholera vaccine during a cholera vaccination campaign in northwest Syria. Your gift will help UNICEF reach more children across Syria.
How your donation will help
UNICEF teams are working tirelessly to stop the cholera epidemic. But as case numbers surge, we must step up our efforts to keep children safe. Your donation will help us reach more children and families in need
- Over the past two weeks, UNICEF has reached hundreds of thousands of people in earthquake-affected areas, including in camps and collective shelters, with life-saving WASH, Health, and Nutrition supplies and services.
- UNICEF’s immediate priorities include providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation services, which are critical in preventing illness in the early days of a crisis. Across the whole of Syria, UNICEF has provided more than 800,000 litres of safe water to affected communities through water trucking.
- UNICEF has deployed Mobile Health and Nutrition teams to provide health and nutrition services and supplies to those in need, including those who have taken refuge in shelters.
- Child protection is a high priority for UNICEF, including the identification and reunification of separated and unaccompanied children and providing psychosocial support to children who may have been exposed to traumatizing experiences.
- UNICEF is also working to ensure that children are able to return to learning as soon as possible. The organization is assessing damage to schools and making preparations for immediate repairs and the establishment of temporary learning spaces.
Every day and donation counts in the fight against cholera.
Your donation will help UNICEF deliver safe and clean water to more families like Salih’s.
