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

Please feel free to add your own words to the email to your MP.

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.”