One year after the earthquake: ask your MP to support Syria

Photo: A White Helmets volunteer searching for survivors of the earthquake.

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Support the brave women, men and children in northern Syria who are suffering the consequences of the devastating earthquake, ongoing bombardment and a lack of humanitarian aid. Ask your MP to condemn attacks by the Syrian regime and Russia, to support Syrian civil society organisations, to demand desperately-needed humanitarian aid, and to hold those negligent in saving lives accountable.

In the early hours of February 6, nearly 6,000 lives were lost in Syria and 50,000 in Türkiye due to a devastating earthquake. Syrians, grappling with losses and conflict for almost 13 years, are in desperate need of international support and renewed peace efforts. The regime's attacks on civilians persist, with the White Helmets responding to over 1,200 attacks in 2023.

A significant funding shortfall is worsening the humanitarian crisis for displaced families enduring another winter in tents. The World Food Programme has halted general food assistance for Syria in 2024.

Despite international shortcomings, the heroic work of Syrian organisations, such as the White Helmets and Hurras, has been remarkable. However, funding gaps threaten their crucial work. MPs can push for more UK government support, apply pressure on the regime and Russia, and advocate for civilians. The earthquake must be a wake-up call for MPs to halt Syrian suffering.

Abeer Khalil, a teacher at a school in northwest Syria supported by the local organisation Hurras Child Protection Network, shared this message: “Children who lost their families have no one to get them to school anymore. The walls of the classrooms are cracked and many children dropped out of school as they don’t feel safe. Despite everything we have lived through, our children have the right to learn in a safe environment without fear.”

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One year after the earthquake: ask your MP to support Syria

In the early hours of 6 February 2023, a huge earthquake claimed nearly 6,000 lives in Syria and 50,000 in Türkiye. A year later, Syrians have not recovered from the magnitude of their losses and urgently need international support and renewed efforts to secure peace.

As your constituent, I am sharing a new briefing paper with you about the courageous Syrian civil society organisations responding to the growing humanitarian suffering in Syria. Suffering that has been largely caused by escalated attacks by the Syrian regime and Russia, and amplified by shortfalls in international aid.

You can read the briefing paper here: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/s3.thesyriacampaign.org/images/New-Briefing-1-Year-Syria-Turkiye-Earthquake.pdf

Rather than stepping up their recovery efforts, the UN failed to activate a disaster response plan for northwest Syria in the critical days following the earthquake. Since then only 400 aid trucks per month entered northwest Syria in 2023 on average, the UN’s lowest level since 2018. The World Food Programme has stopped general food assistance for Syria in 2024.

Regime bombs targeted civilians just weeks after the earthquake, and the White Helmets responded to over 1,200 attacks on residential areas, schools, hospitals and agricultural land by the regime, Russia and affiliated militias in 2023. This is a significant increase on 731 attacks in the previous year.

International failings after the earthquake were huge, but the tireless and brave response of Syrian organisations has been truly moving. The briefing paper details inspiring groups in northwest Syria that are trusted by the local community. They urgently need support from donors such as the United Kingdom.

As my MP, I urge you to condemn attacks by the Syrian regime and Russia, to support Syrian civil society organisations on the ground, to demand desperately-needed humanitarian aid, and to hold those negligent in saving lives after the earthquake accountable.

Please lead the way by acting in Parliament on February 6th, a year after the earthquake disaster, to support Syrians still suffering one year on. You are also invited to attend a vigil in Trafalgar Square at 8pm on Tuesday 6th February to pay tribute to the victims of the earthquake.

The Syria Campaign can be contacted at info@thesyriacampaign.org and are at your service to assist. They have also provided a Tweet for you to use or edit if you wish to show your support:
One year on from the Syria & Türkiye earthquake, incredible Syrian humanitarians, such as the White Helmets, are doing all they can to help survivors. I call on @RishiSunak to lead global efforts to support Syrians facing attacks & humanitarian disaster after the quake

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Recent signatures

Stephen, United States

5 months ago
William, United Kingdom

6 months ago
Raphael, France

6 months, 3 weeks ago
Stacy, United States

8 months ago
Maria, United Kingdom

8 months, 4 weeks ago
Patricia, United Kingdom

9 months, 1 week ago
May, United Kingdom

9 months, 2 weeks ago
Jane, United Kingdom

9 months, 3 weeks ago
Marianne, United Kingdom

9 months, 3 weeks ago
Sue, United Kingdom

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Recent signatures

One year after the earthquake: ask your MP to support Syria

Recent signatures

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