Two massive earthquakes and more than 7,184 aftershocks caused significant damage in South and Southeastern Turkiye and Northern Syria. According to Turkiye Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), as of February 21, 42,310 citizens in total lost their lives in Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Adana, Adıyaman, Osmaniye, Hatay, Kilis, Malatya and Elazığ provinces.
Kayseri was also affected by the disaster. According to the local authorities, many buildings were damaged and cracked, and they are not safe to stay in. Thus, many people are forced to leave their houses and shelter in safe places.
RET and LEAP have been working in Kayseri since 2022, implementing the project “Multi-sectoral Approach for Fostering Resilience among Non-Syrian Refugee and Vulnerable Host Communities.” According to the needs assessment, addressing the mental health issue resulting from this disaster is critical. RET and LEAP’s team in Kayseri immediately took action. They have been providing psychosocial support in 3 different locations in Kayseri for affected people and children and counselled more than 180 affected people to date.
RET and LEAP also are working with “Türk Psikologlar Derneği” to conduct a needs assessment in 10 provinces and provide “Mobile Psychosocial Support” to those affected by trauma and grief.
