Turkey Quake: Funding needed to safeguard Millions of Children (UNICEF)
United Nations (New York) – Two months after devastating earthquakes hit Türkiye and northern Syria, 2.5 million children in Türkiye remain in need of humanitarian support and are at risk of falling into poverty, child labour or under-age marriage, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said.
Although the humanitarian response to the crisis was quick, Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Representative in Turkey, emphasized that “millions of children’s immediate fates remain uncertain.”
More than 390,000 people have been provided with hygiene kits, winter clothing, electrical heaters, and blankets by UNICEF to meet the most urgent needs.
While supply networks are being rebuilt, the UN agency has also provided water to thousands of people.
Regarding health, UNICEF has been assisting the Turkish government by supplying vaccines, such as those against polio, diphtheria, and tetanus, as well as medical supplies and equipment.
The organization has provided psychosocial support to more than 149,000 children and caregivers as part of the emergency response while also collaborating with partners to aid in family reunion.
The United Nations Children’s Fund emphasized that “these efforts must continue and child protection programs must be maintained without pause.”
Around four million pupils in Türkiye were affected by the earthquakes, according to UNICEF. Many more run the risk of falling behind even though approximately 1.5 million people have continued their schooling in the devastated areas and another 250,000 have been able to do so after moving elsewhere in the country.
More than 300,000 students will benefit from the rehabilitation of more than 1,170 schools that UNICEF is funding, and UNICEF is also providing the Ministry of Education with temporary classrooms in prefabricated buildings and tents to ensure that learning can continue.
With 37 centres for child, youth, and family support spread throughout 10 provinces, the agency is also offering catch-up classes and homework assistance.
To continue helping children affected by the earthquakes, UNICEF in Turkey is requesting an additional $138 million in donations and urging the international community to give priority to meeting their needs.
Beyond the immediate reaction, UNICEF emphasized that children and their families urgently need longer-term assistance so they may “recover and begin to reconstruct their lives.”
In order to prevent the disaster from continuing to have an influence on their lives for decades to come, Ms. De Dominicis stated that “more help is essential to guarantee children are protected and their needs are met as a major aspect of the rehabilitation.”
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