The earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria have caused one of the biggest natural disasters in the region in recent times. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and injured – and women and girls have been particularly impacted.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals and UNFPA-supported facilities and safe spaces, have collapsed or been damaged in Türkiye and Syria, leaving an estimated 270,000 pregnant women, as well as breastfeeding mothers and menstruating girls, struggling to access essential health care, support and supplies.

Thousands of women and girls are living in over-crowded, makeshift camps or on the streets and are facing high protection risks, including an elevated risk of gender-based violence, exploitation and abuse.  
In Syria, the earthquakes are a crisis within a crisis for women and girls, adding to the suffering caused by 12 years of conflict that has left 90 percent of Syrians destitute, and crippled the health system.

UNFPA has been on the ground in Türkiye and Syria since day one, working with government authorities and partners to get sexual and reproductive health and protection services up and running again.  

Through static and mobile health teams and safe spaces, UNFPA is reaching those who have been displaced by the earthquakes with reproductive health, gender-based violence and psychosocial services. Teams are also distributing life-saving reproductive health supplies, equipment and dignity and maternity kits to health facilities across Türkiye and Syria to ensure access to reproductive healthcare for all women and girls who need it.