Two of the strongest earthquakes in the region in more than 100 years of 7.8 and 7.7 magnitude occurred on Monday 6 February in south-eastern Türkiye at 4:15am and 1:30pm local time. The earthquakes affected an area of 400 kilometres. The epicentre of the 7.8-magnitude quake occurred in Türkiye’s Gaziantep province. Aftershocks continue across the region. 

The areas most heavily impacted in Türkiye are in the provinces of Gaziantep, Hatay, Malatya, and Adiyaman.

A Türkiye Earthquake Flash Appeal was launched on 16 February to support government relief efforts for an initial three months. The Emergency Telecommunications Sector (ETS) response in Türkiye is co-led by WFP and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to support the response in the areas affected by the multiple earthquakes.

The ETS is appealing for US$1 million to coordinate ICT activities and deliver services to enable humanitarians to operate efficiently and to support the government of Türkiye response by providing access to communications to affected populations in temporary settlements.

An ETS Coordinator is on the ground in Türkiye based in Gaziantep, supported by an ETS Information Management Officer (IMO) in Gaziantep.