Syria, Turkey need urgent support for mental health – IFRC
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned on Friday of the urgent need of a sustainable response to mental health and psychosocial needs to prevent a “second disaster” in Syria and Turkey after the February 6 earthquake.
The IFRC said, in a press release, that it appealed for 650 million Swiss francs to support the Turkish Red Crescent and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to continue scaling up their humanitarian response and recovery efforts over the next two years.
At dawn on Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Syria and Turkey, killing thousands and injuring many more. The earthquake also caused immense destruction of buildings, trapping thousands under the rubble.
The demand for mental health services and psychosocial support and health care in Syria is immense, especially that the February 6 earthquake comes after nearly 13 years of conflict that has already “displaced millions and traumatised many communities,” according to the source.
“People have suffered more than a decade of conflict which has already affected their mental health and wellbeing. This earthquake adds another layer to that,” Gwendolen Eamer, IFRC Health Coordinator in Syria, said.
“Psychological wounds won’t always appear right away. That is why we need to provide continuous support, not only right now but for years to come,” he added.