Two devastating earthquakes hit central Türkiye in the region of Anatolia, Northern and Western Syria on Monday, 6 February, first reaching a magnitude of 7.8 degrees on the Richter scale, while the aftershock was recorded nine hours after the mainshock and hitting 7.7 degrees on the Richter scale.

It proved to be the most devastating earthquake in the region since 1939, an event that had the same magnitude, with a major humanitarian crisis unfolding in Türkiye and Syria, with over 33.000 victims and millions of people displaced from their homes, which turned to rubble.

With every help needed for the victims and people still trapped under the rubble, the Turkish Handball Federation (THF) has joined forces with the Türkiye Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), lending a helping hand in coordinating the response to the disaster that hit the country.

The THF has also opened two collection points for vital aid in the capital Ankara - Yıldızevler Mah. Sukarno Cad. No:47 Çankaya – and in Istanbul - İcadiye Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad. Neşe Apt. A Blok 175/1 Kat:2 No:2 Üsküdar – where people can donate things like portable generators, baby food, clothes, tents or food, which will all be shipped to the provinces affected by the earthquakes.

Teams have also chipped in to help with vital aid and blood donations as all matches in the Turkish leagues have been postponed, with days of mourning declared in the country. The match between Buducnost BEMAX and Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK in the EHF Champions League Women has also been cancelled.

The IHF would also like to express condolences for the families affected by the tragic earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.