Syria Earthquake Crisis

May 2023 Update:

Your help is still greatly needed for children and families following the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey on February 6.
With the generosity of our supporters, the SOS Children’s Villages team in Syria has provided rushed life-saving emergency aid, evacuated families to safety, offered psychological care, reunited families who lost their parents or caregivers and provided a safe, loving home for children who have lost their parents or caregivers — but there’s still a long road ahead in the recovery effort.
Looking forward, your gift will empower people in Syria to rebuild their lives by repairing families’ homes and providing resources so they can earn a sustainable income long into the future.
Thank you for supporting families in need during this critical time.

DONATE NOW

Emergency aid for children and families in Syria

On February 6, 2023, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey and northern Syria. Thousands of people have died and tens of thousands more have been injured in this unthinkable tragedy. Families were torn apart in the blink of an eye.

Snow and sub-zero temperatures have hampered rescue efforts, and many survivors remain outside in fear of structural damage from aftershocks.

We’re relieved that the children in our care, the families we support and our staff in Syria are safe, and that their homes and schools are undamaged. But the trauma sustained from this horrific event can impact survivors for years to come.

SOS Children’s Villages is on the ground in Syria, tirelessly delivering emergency aid to children and families who have lost everything. We are assessing the most pressing needs and deploying urgent support where it is needed most.

DONATE NOW

Emergency relief activities in Syria

Though we don’t work in Turkey, our teams in Aleppo and Damascus, Syria are urgently helping people in need, including:

Emergency aid

We are distributing food, medicine, clothing and hygiene supplies: goods that are often unavailable in disaster situations, but that can be crucial for survival.

Evacuation and emergency relocation

We are helping evacuate children and families to safety and arranging emergency accommodations.

Psychological support

We are providing children with psychological care from qualified SOS Children’s Villages experts to lessen trauma from the start.

Family reunification

In cooperation with authorities, we are working to reunite families who were separated in the chaos of the earthquake and its aftermath.

Long-term care

We will welcome children who have lost their parents or caregivers into a new home with SOS Children’s Villages or affiliated institutions, where they can start the healing process in a stable, loving family environment.

The safety and well-being of children is our top priority. SOS Children’s Villages was there to act quickly when tragedy struck, and we will be there to support people in need with long-term recovery efforts. But we can’t do it without you.

DONATE NOW

SOS Children’s Villages in Syria: Decades of Impact

SOS Children’s Villages has actively helped children in Syria for more than 40 years and expanded our impact over time. In Syria, SOS Children’s Villages provides tailored, individualized support to struggling families to help keep them together, including food, access to healthcare and the opportunity to send their children to school.

Over the decades, SOS Children’s Villages has repeatedly adapted our support to the changing needs of the country. During Syria’s civil war, we provided emergency humanitarian aid to vulnerable children and families—and some of these efforts have grown into ongoing programs.

In 2016, we opened a new children's village for 150 children near Damascus. And in 2017, SOS Children's Villages reopened the Al Thawra Banin School in Aleppo to serve 1,800 students.

DONATE NOW

Sponsor a Village in Syria

Your village sponsorship ensures that all of the children in our Damascus village get the urgent care they need today—and grow up with the resources and opportunities they need to build a bright future!

Fundraise for Children Devastated by the Earthquake

You can make an even larger impact for children and families in Syria by creating a fundraiser to raise support from your family and friends! Your critical support enables our teams in Aleppo and Damascus to deliver emergency aid.

Comprehensive approach

Safeguard children

America

Africa

Asia & Middle East

Europe & Oceania

Donate

Sponsor

Get involved

May 2023 Update:

Emergency aid for children and families in Syria

Emergency relief activities in Syria

The safety and well-being of children is our top priority. SOS Children’s Villages was there to act quickly when tragedy struck, and we will be there to support people in need with long-term recovery efforts. But we can’t do it without you.

SOS Children’s Villages in Syria: Decades of Impact

Sponsor a Village in Syria

Fundraise for Children Devastated by the Earthquake

Additional Questions?