This earthquake only adds to a crisis already suffered by millions of people in Syrian territory and on the border with Turkey. The population has been devastated by a conflict that has dragged on for more than a decade, by the disastrous economic situation, by insufficient rainfall and severe drought conditions that have caused food insecurity, water crises and cholera outbreaks. This major earthquake will aggravate and worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis.

Doctors of the World  has been working in the region since 2008. It supports the local authority to guarantee access to primary health care services, including malnutrition, assistance in epidemics, mental health and psychological support, as well as sexual and reproductive health care. It does so in 14 health centers and mobile clinics that cover a population of approximately 900,000 people in north-east Syria and by directly providing health services in the north-west of the country in 12 health centers, reaching more than one million people.