Oxfam has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement of additional funding of $8 million dollars to Australia's response to the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria.
The announcement by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, brings the total commitment so far to $18 million.
Together with its local partners, Oxfam is already working in impacted areas to provide food, water, sanitation and shelter to the hundreds of thousands of people who are now without their homes and living in extremely cold conditions.
Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Lyn Morgain welcomed the Government's announcement, and highlighted that continued humanitarian assistance would be critical.
"The scale of devastation in Turkiye and Syria is unprecedented, with hundreds of thousands of people left homeless and in urgent need of life-saving aid," said Ms Morgain.
"People have been forced to sleep outside in freezing conditions or in their cars. Some in Syria have even been sleeping in cemeteries. We have heard harrowing accounts of people using their bare hands to dig for their loved ones under the rubble. Stories like this are heartbreaking. And while the death toll is astonishing, we can't forget the survivors who have been left behind - their lives are still under threat.
"We are moved by the generosity of Australians so far, however the ongoing response and rebuild ahead is massive and will require sustained support."
Oxfam also welcomes the Australian Government's commitment to provide $15 million to assist conflict-affected Syrians and their host communities in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
For Syria, this earthquake hits at a time when the humanitarian need in the country is at its highest. Over 15 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance and support.
Australians can donate to Oxfam Australia's Emergency Appeal here.
