The Albanese Government will contribute an additional $8 million dollars to Australia’s response to the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, bringing the total to $18 million.
This funding will provide lifesaving assistance, with a focus on protecting those made most vulnerable by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. It will also support ongoing search and rescue efforts.
In Türkiye, we will contribute an additional $4.5 million. This includes $2 million to Australian NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership to deliver lifesaving assistance, with a focus on protecting those made most vulnerable by the earthquakes. Remaining funds will support ongoing search and rescue efforts and other emerging needs arising from this crisis.
In Syria, $3.5 million will be provided to the United Nations Population Fund to deliver maternal and child health services and protect women and girls without safe housing. This is in addition to the $3 million that Australia has committed to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
We extend Australia’s deepest sympathies to families and communities that have lost loved ones in the earthquakes, including families here in Australia.
The earthquakes have also exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, where years of conflict have driven millions from their homes.
In addition to the earthquake response, the Australian Government will provide $15 million through trusted partners to assist conflict-affected Syrians and their host communities in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
Imagery of the Australian Government’s Disaster Assistance Response Team in Türkiye is available at: https://multimedia.dfat.gov.au/fotoweb/albums/Y-agmMww5crkgPyn/