Institutions mobilise in response to Turkey and Syria earthquakes

In Syria, the earthquakes have impacted some areas of Jamati presence where the Aga Khan Development Network programmes are already active. Following the earthquakes, Focus Humanitarian Assistance, in collaboration with the Ismaili Council for Syria and AKDN agencies, has mobilised rapidly. The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) has taken the lead on the ground and is working closely with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) to assess and respond to the emergency.

AKAH Search and Rescue Teams have been deployed in AKDN programme areas, and the National Council has organised the relocation of members of the Jamat from the affected areas. Community Emergency Response Teams, working with AKAH engineers, are making rapid risk assessments of buildings, including homes, and communicating with households to support their identification of living alternatives as appropriate. Stockpiles of emergency supplies, primarily shelter and hygiene kits, have been readied for transportation as required. AKAH’s international rescue teams in other parts of the world have been placed on standby to deploy if required and requested by the government.

AKAH is working with UNOCHA in the formulation of a joint appeal for resources to respond to the situation.

Members of the Jamat wishing to make contributions to support the response are requested to visit the Focus Humanitarian Assistance websites.