IFAW helps animals in need in the aftermath of Turkey-Syria earth

IFAW helps animals in need in the aftermath of Turkey-Syria earthquakes

1 March 2023

help rescue animals and support communities

IFAW sends support to two new organizations

We are pleased to announce that this week, IFAW is sending emergency aid to support the incredible and impactful work of two new organizations—Angel’s Farm Sanctuary, located in Izmir, Turkey, and Watan Foundation, an emergency relief group working with the Directorate of Agriculture of Gaziantep. Over the next few weeks, we will share more on the amazing work their teams are doing.

animal rescue truck destroyed in latest earthquake

February 28, 2023

Sadly, another devastating earthquake of 5.6 magnitude hit Malatya in Turkey on 27 February causing a building to collapse on the rescue truck belonging to our partner, Haytap Animal Rights Federation, and covering the vehicle in rubble. Before the building collapsed, all Haytap team members in the truck were able to escape and, remarkably, no one was injured.

IFAW immediately committed to purchase a replacement animal rescue vehicle so Haytap can continue their life-saving work in Malatya.

Haytap team members got out of their vehicle just before another earthquake occurred and trapped it in the wreckage. © Haytap

IFAW will continue direct outreach to local organizations active in the affected areas to assess unmet needs regarding animal search and rescue, emergency veterinary care, temporary shelter, and daily care. We have identified a dire need for animal and human interventions in rural areas beyond the city limits and are working to get assistance to those areas.

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Turkish or Syrian organizations in need of trained responders and/or financial assistance to rescue and care for animals can email us at disasterresponse@ifaw.org.

Hayvanları kurtarmak ve onlara bakmak için eğitimli müdahale ekiplerine ve/veya mali yardıma ihtiyaç duyan kuruluşlar, lütfen bize e-posta gönderin disasterresponse@ifaw.org

المنظمات التي تحتاج إلى مستجيبين مدربين و/ أو مساعدة مالية لإنقاذ الحيوانات ورعايتها، راسلونا عبر البريد الإلكتروني disasterresponse@ifaw.org

Timeline of updates >>

rescue work continues as more earthquakes hit devastated communities

21 February 2023

In response to multiple aftershocks and ongoing earthquakes in the region, IFAW’s local partners in Turkey and Syria continue their relief and rescue efforts across impacted communities.

The rescue team at House of Cats Ernesto in Syria has provided care and veterinary treatment to more than 600 pets and community animals, including ducks, turkeys, rabbits, sheep, cows, goats, and donkeys.

In one home, the team thoroughly examined a pregnant goat and performed an in-situ ultrasound as the owner was anxious for the health of the doe and kid. The medical examination revealed both are in good condition, much to the relief of the owner.

The House of Cats Ernesto team performs an ultrasound on a pregnant goat affected by the earthquake in Syria. Photo: © House of Cats Ernesto

In another community, the team was onsite at a local church to examine and treat dozens of rescued kittens who are currently in the care of nuns. Two kittens and one puppy needed further treatment, so the team brought them to the sanctuary for further care.

Our partner in Turkey, Haytap Animal Rights Federation, has rescued and provided care for numerous injured animals, including a mother dog and her young puppies that the team recently pulled out of the rubble. The mother had stayed with her puppies for six days until rescuers found her.

Turkey-Syria ongoing earthquakes

16 February 2023

We are saddened to hear from our contacts that on February 16th a 5.1 earthquake hit in the areas teams have been working. We are working to get in touch with our partners for an update on their teams and animals. Our thoughts are with the already reeling community on the ground and everyone impacted by this ongoing disaster.

Since 6 February 2023, nearly 42,000 deaths have been reported and that number is expected to rise. Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said 3,858 aftershocks have been recorded and an estimated 50,576 buildings have collapsed or are heavily damaged.

We will share additional information as details and updates become available.

IFAW rushes aid for animal rescue and care in Turkey and Syria

10 February 2023

As humanitarian rescue teams expand the search for people trapped in rubble in Turkey and Syria, local animal rescue organisations are working to save animals devastated by Monday’s earthquake. Their efforts will likely continue for weeks or months.

In response, IFAW has committed US$50,000 to support local organisations, including Haytap Animal Rights Federation in Turkey and House of Cats Ernesto in Syria, in their efforts to rescue and care for injured animals.

House of Cats Ernesto’s teams are focused on animal search and rescue, providing emergency veterinary care, and distributing animal food in impacted areas. Meanwhile, Haytap’s veterinarians and volunteer responders have set up an animal services tent in Antakya to treat animals rescued from the immense wreckage left by the earthquake.

Our disaster response team has received reports from our partners on the ground describing buildings that have been reduced to piles of brick and entire towns destroyed. The team estimates that thousands of animals in the hardest-hit communities require emergency support, including veterinary care, food, and shelter.

Video: The House of Cats Ernesto team rescuing a trapped cat from the rubble

House of Cats Ernesto heard faint noises from beneath rubble as they patrolled the area for animals in need. After digging and removing slabs of concrete, they unearthed a kitten from the rocks and brought her to their sanctuary for treatment.

Video: Haytap's team rescuing a dog buried in the rubble

Haytap's team rescuing a dog buried in the rubble

Haytap's volunteer responders rescued a dog named Pamuk—which means "cotton" in Turkish—who was buried in the rubble of a building destroyed in the earthquake. They were able to dig him out of the heavy debris and carry him to safety.

help animals and communities in need

IFAW prepares to help animals and communities devastated by Turkey-Syria earthquake

7 February 2023

In the early hours of the morning of February 6, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey and parts of Syria, leveling entire towns, and killing thousands of people.

As humanitarian efforts are underway, IFAW is preparing to rush emergency support to local organisations in Turkey and Syria to help the many animals impacted by this catastrophic earthquake.

Search and rescue efforts continue in an apartment destroyed in the earthquake that occurred on the morning of February 6, 2023 in Adana, Turkey. © Shutterstock/Tolga Ildun

We are also working organisations that we have previously supported in the region, like House of Cats Ernesto, to identify what support they might need.

In 2020, IFAW purchased supplies for the House of Cats Ernesto—the only animal sanctuary in Syria at the time. The sanctuary was destroyed due to the civil war and we provided daily care supplies and essential veterinary medicines for the organisation’s animals.

IFAW has supported House of Cats Ernesto as they care for animals in an unpredictable climate in Syria. © House of Cats Ernesto

Read our FAQ about IFAW's Turkey and Syria earthquake response

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