Red Cross and Crescent: We need a sustainable mental health plan for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stressed that there is an urgent need for a sustainable short- and long-term plan to respond to health, mental health, and psychosocial needs to prevent a second catastrophe, a month after the devastating earthquake that occurred in Turkey and Syria.

In a report today, Friday, the International Federation pointed out that the demand for mental health services, psychosocial support and health care is enormous, warning that in some hard-to-reach areas, it could expose the most affected people to a greater risk related to mental health. This may hinder recovery and resilience.

The report indicated that the Red Crescent teams in Turkey have established safe spaces that provide mental health and psychological support for children. It provided its services to 42,000 people and supported more than 30,000 people in Syria with psychological first aid, especially children.

The international organization stressed that the local and early response to health and mental health will remain necessary to prevent long-term and even permanent negative effects on the lives of those affected by the earthquake in both countries.