Resilience and Crisis Response in Earthquake-Affected Areas in Syria and Türkiye

Project Background

In February 2023, parts of Syria and Türkiye were struck by two of the most destructive earthquakes in recent history, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of more than 15 million people. In Syria, different governance systems and contested territorial control at the time limited the ability to adequately respond to the earthquake, further exacerbating the existing fragile situation in the northwest of the country. As a result, the vulnerability of households further increased and their ability to cope with shocks further decreased, with marginalized groups and women being most affected. Under the Crisis Response in Earthquake-Affected Areas (CREA) in Syria and Türkiye regional project, GIZ provides multi-sectoral and integrated support to strengthen the resilience of the populations residing in affected areas to better respond to future shocks, with a particular focus on marginalized communities such as women and girls, people with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced people and returnees.

Project Objectives

This project will assess the adverse conditions and challenges facing crisis-affected populations in Türkiye and Syria; individuals’, households’ and communities’ vulnerabilities, coping mechanisms and resilience capacities; and the social and economic impacts of the CREA project to better understand its effectiveness in supporting resilience. The study will generate evidence and learning on whether and how resilience-building interventions in the education, health, economic recovery and Disaster Risk Management sectors support the behavior and welfare of individuals, households and communities, with a particular focus on marginalized groups.