The UK’s response to earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

On February 6, 2023, southern Turkey and northern Syria were hit by the deadliest earthquake in the region since 1939. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake so far has claimed the lives of 46,000 people.

According to the World Health Organization, about 23 million people, including 1.4 million children, are likely to be affected by this disaster.

The Turkish Government’s initial emergency response to the earthquake has faced criticism, with opposition figures arguing that funds from "earthquake solidarity taxes" to strengthen building structures have been misspent, and a 2018 government amnesty for violations of building code have contributed to a growing number of collapsed buildings.

Syria’s President Assad has demanded that emergency aid in rebel-held areas is coordinated via Damascus, with the Syrian Government, and blamed European and US sanctions for the lack of aid. On 10 February, the US Government announced a temporary loosening of sanctions on the Assad regime in Syria for 180 days to speed up aid deliveries.

Since the earthquake, the UK has provided £8 million in immediate assistance, including the deployment of search and rescue teams, and an additional £3.8 in funding to the Syrian White Helmets to help with the delivery of aid to north-west Syria.

The UK’s Disaster Emergency Committee has also launched an emergency appeal in response to the earthquakes. The British public has donated £27.9m so far, the Government has matched these donations taking the total to £32.9m.

The Chair of the International Development Committee, Sarah Champion MP, warned last week that the scale of the FCDO’s response to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has been hampered by cuts to the development aid budget.

Labour should urge the Government to step up emergency aid efforts to Turkey and Syria, including increasing the amount of emergency aid in line with the rising number of people impacted in the region, considering temporarily loosening sanctions on the Assad regime, encouraging the opening up for additional border-crossing for humanitarian aid, and allowing trusted partners and aid agencies to use the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus to help with the international relief effort.

Labour should pressure Ministers to ensure that emergency relief aid delivered to Syria is not deducted from the total amount of official development assistance the country already receives to deal with the ongoing civil war.

Labour should explore ways for the UK to strengthen its understanding and relationship with Turkey, which remains a key ‘pivot state’ at a time of geopolitical fracturing. This should include identifying opportunities to support the rule of law and democracy in Turkey and foster relations.

Image credit: EU's response to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Begum Iman/European Union via Flickr, 7 February 2023.