SARD’s 2023 Annual Report - Our Impact at a Glance
In 2023, we provided assistance to 172,129 individuals across Türkiye and northwest Syria. Read our full report here.
I don't have the ability or power to remove the rubble of even one room. SARD came and they undertook the removal of debris.” -Abdulrazaq, Sarmada
Dear Supporters, Partners, and Friends of SARD,
We can’t reflect on 2023 without remembering the moment the first earthquake shook us to our core and how we were all forever changed. We remember the lives lost and forever changed on February 6th, 2023. As many communities in northwest Syria tried to recover, they found themselves instead living in fear of airstrikes as we witnessed the most significant escalation of hostilities in four years.
SARD emergency response to the Feb 6 Earthquakes., Termanin, northwest Syria.
I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated team and to you, our community of supporters and partners. Your immediate and generous response in the aftermath of the earthquakes saved countless lives through emergency assistance and continued to sustain our efforts in the months that followed - from the removal of rubble to the rebuilding of schools, homes, and lives.
In 2023, we witnessed the needs and challenges in northwest Syria reach new heights as communities faced the cumulative impact of 12 years of conflict, an economy in crisis, climate-related challenges, and of course, the wide-spread destruction of the earthquakes. Today, 4.2 million are in need in northwest Syria and every sub- district across Syria is under some degree of humanitarian stress for the first time. Despite record-high needs, the cross-border response is facing the worst funding crisis in its history.
In 2023, we expanded our response to Türkiye, and focused on Adıyaman Province, where the highest proportion of lives were lost and structures were damaged among all the affected provinces. It is the smallest and poorest of the affected provinces with the slowest recovery of essential services. Needs remain particularly high in rural and hard to reach areas, which is why we are there.
We thank you for coming alongside the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities as they faced their worst moments in 2023. As we navigate funding cuts and escalating needs - we are tired, but we find hope in the past year’s tremendous display of solidarity, empathy, and generosity. I invite you to read our report and witness the profound impact we’ve had in 2023 – we couldn’t have done it without you.
With heartfelt appreciation and warm regards,
Alaa Wafai
SARD Director
