ICOMOS Statement on Syria and Turkey Earthquakes

On 6 February 2023, two major earthquakes and their aftershocks struck Syria and Turkey.
ICOMOS expresses its condolences and sadness at the rapidly rising death toll and numbers of missing and injured, as well as the devastation inflicted on populations, in part already heavily tested by war in Syria, in difficult winter conditions. ICOMOS offers its assistance.

Besides the destruction of homes and infrastructure, there is mounting news on damage to cultural heritage.
For example, in Turkey, reports show severe damage to Gaziantep Castle and in Syria, the ancient city of Aleppo, already heavily scarred by war and inscribed on the list of World Heritage in Danger, suffered further destruction. The whole area affected by the earthquakes is rich in cultural heritage and so we unfortunately anticipate more news on impacted sites, as the situation continues to unfold.  

ICOMOS immediately offered its assistance to our National Committees in Syria and Turkey, that are both mobilising. Vice-President Zeynep-Gül Ünal is in Turkey as part of a search and rescue team. The ICOMOS President, Teresa Patricio, has assured UNESCO of our full availability to support joint actions for inventory and damage assessment and recovery.

Read the press release here.

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The ICOMOS Recovery and Reconstruction Project

Recording of the webinar 'ISCARSAH Perspectives on the 2023 Syria-Turkey Earthquake' (November 2023)