After the Earthquake, Survivors Find Homes and Health Care

“We’re proud to have opened the health care center in Al Zohoor in collaboration with one of our longstanding partners, Americares”

Dr. Nihat Kashoor

“It’s been an incredibly difficult year for the people of Syria,” says Dr. Nihat Kashoor, a medical coordinator for Human Appeal in northwest Syria. “Millions are still trying to piece their lives back together following the devastating earthquake earlier this year.”

The powerful February 6 earthquake killed more than 60,000 people in Türkiye and Syria, injured tens of thousands more and forced families from their damaged homes.

Fifteen thousand people found shelter near Idlib, Syria, in the newly built community of Al Zohoor and now, with support from Americares, they have access to health care — at a fully stocked and staffed health clinic in their community.  

“In the initial aftermath, we prioritized offering shelter and food security. Once established, it was a vital priority to provide free medical care to those who lost everything, says Dr. Kashoor. Human Appeal built all of the homes and community buildings in Al Zohoor. “We’re proud to have opened the health care center in Al Zohoor in collaboration with one of our longstanding partners, Americares, and hope to provide a stable future for all those affected by the earthquake,” says Dr. Kashoor.

The clinic, which has been operating since June 2023, provides access to essential medicines, primary care, trauma services, lab testing, dental care and mental health and psychosocial support. At the same time, funds are being used to help cover staff salaries for a year – in a region where health care is needed now more than ever.

In just the first month since opening, the clinic has already treated more than 2,000 patients. “When I see the joy on people’s face when they receive medicine, which they couldn’t [get] before or because of the treatment they received they are relieved of their pain, it is a feeling that is really hard to express,” said Human Appeal Türkiye and Syria Country Director Ubeyd Sakin. “The humanitarian work we’re doing is literally saving lives of children, women and elderly. I hope that we can do more in the future.”

Americares response to the earthquakes has focused on supporting services that restore access to health care for displaced families and delivering medicines and relief supplies for health workers treating survivors. To date, Americares has provided 16 local partners in Türkiye and Syria with $3.1 million in aid, including more than 22 tons of medicine and medical supplies, which local partners delivered to 29 health facilities in Syria.

Americares has been providing assistance to Syria for more than a decade, delivering medicine, medical supplies and relief items to partner organizations in northwest Syria assisting families affected by the long running civil war. Americares supports more than 50 health centers in the region serving children and adults.