About the Emergency

On February 6, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck central southern Türkiye, close to the Syrian border, followed by dozens of violent aftershocks. The earthquakes have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths in Türkiye and Syria and affected millions of people.

In response, USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to lead the U.S. government’s response efforts in support of the Government of Türkiye and humanitarian partners in Syria. The DART will conduct disaster assessments, identify urgent humanitarian needs, assist with search and rescue operations, and work with partners on the ground to save lives.

How You Can Help

Donate

Send cash donations to reputable relief organizations working on the ground. They can make the most difference and save the most lives. Detailed information on how relief organizations use donations can be found at: GiveWell, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and the Better Business Bureau. NeedsList is also working to identify needs from aid groups and match them with organizations wanting to donate. Below are some organizations responding in Türkiye and Syria.

Businesses

The business community is also mobilizing resources for this response. For companies that want to help, here is a business guide with tips.

Volunteer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in four Americans volunteered for an organization at least once during the course of a year. However, there are a few things that would-be disaster volunteers should stop and consider before getting on a plane.

Additional Resources