Six months after earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, health at risk

Six months after the horrific February 6 earthquake in southeastern Turkey and northeastern Syria, which affected 15 million people, Residents are exposed to new health risks as the removed debris can cause asbestos and dust-related illnesses and a possible long-term increase in cancer rates. The Médicos del Mundo has observed an increase in conditions such as conjunctivitis, allergic asthma and skin reactions.

Six months ago, massive earthquakes left 59,259 dead, 121,704 injured and 297 missing in Turkey and Syria.arriveNow, the heat and lack of clean water favor the proliferation of microbes and insects, leading to an increase in cases of scabies and gastroenteritis.. This was exacerbated by overcrowding as people moved into tents and shipping containers after the earthquake. Increased risk of epidemics such as typhoid, cholera and tuberculosis.

“As the climate warms, buildings that are badly damaged and at risk of collapse begin to be demolished. As a result of the demolition process, the threat of asbestos emerged. Asbestos is a material that is dangerous and harmful to human health. A study by the Turkish Association of Environmental Engineers found that about one in two buildings contained asbestos. This poses a serious danger to people, especially in this area.’” reminded Cuma Ali Özbek, emergency manager at the Médicos del Mundo site in Hatay.

“Upper respiratory illnesses continue to increase and our mobile teams continue to provide primary care in rural areas and centers in an effort to mitigate this“The person in charge of the emergency explained.

Women are in a very vulnerable position

Women and minors are a particularly vulnerable group who suffer disproportionately during these disasters: they take care of extended families, find food, cook, do laundry, clean, etc. Apart from, Of the 356,000 pregnant women identified in the quake-hit area, 39,000 are expected to give birth in the next few weeks.For example, lack of toilets and sanitation facilities is a major cause of distress in this sense.

“Based on an assessment of mobile teams that were part of post-earthquake field activities, we noted that, in particular Women and children struggle to access services and create private space for themselves

’, explains Kumar Ali.

In response to this situation, Médicos del Mundo created safe spaces. Here, people can benefit from a wide range of services such as psychosocial support, protective services, sexual and reproductive health services, medical check-ups, showers and laundry, and hairdressing services. “This allows them to create a private space for themselves and feel comfortable and at ease while overcoming barriers to accessing these services,” the emergency chief detailed.

Role of the Médicos del Mundo

In the first few days after the earthquake, Médicos del Mundo deploys medical teams to support the health system and alleviate deficits in primary care and other specific health needs.Médicos del Mundo has supported more than 100,000 people since February 2023. The NGO has reached 17,000 people in the Hatay and Antakya regions (Turkey), providing more than 12,000 medical consultations and individual and group psychosocial support sessions. It also provides primary health care to more than 83,000 people in Afrin and Idlib (Syria). The organization now hopes to expand its services in the region, including increasing the number of safe spaces, in cooperation with Turkey’s Ministry of Family and Social Policy and the Ministry of Health.

In Syria, Médicos del Mundo España works in the north-east of the country, where the population was also affected by the earthquake, the NGO deploys medical, nursing, pharmacy, psychological work to meet the needs of the city of Kobani and its needs of the surrounding area. , community workers, etc., also help to raise awareness of the health problems caused by the earthquake.