The historic solidarity between Romania and Türkiye proved its significance once again as the Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Türkiye Ștefan Alexandru Tinca visited earthquake-affected province, Adıyaman. The Ambassador observed the provision of services at United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) mobile and static units implemented by the Association of Social Development and Aid Mobilization (SGDD-ASAM) in collaboration with the Provincial Public Health Services Presidency, with the financial support of Romania, and met with people affected by the earthquake.
Ankara, Türkiye - The 6 February 2023 earthquakes caused great suffering, claiming the lives of more than 53 thousand people and disrupting health services including sexual and reproductive health, essential for thousands of women and girls who live in the earthquake affected region in the temporary accommodation centers. UNFPA’s static and mobile units operating for women’s and reproductive health in Adıyaman, with funding from Romania, are providing health and protection services to women and girls. Ștefan Alexandru Tinca, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Türkiye paid a visit to the service units in Adıyaman in order to meet with the service providers and people affected by the disaster and to observe provision of services on the ground.
Major humanitarian crises can disrupt the provision of essential services and affect women and girls disproportionately as they jeopardize their health and increase their protection needs. Therefore, support of civil society organizations and financial support from governments gain further importance because the volume of the damage caused by such crises decreases the accessibility of available sources.
As an example of international solidarity, Romania has supported the earthquake response in Türkiye. Through valuable funding from Romania, UNFPA is providing holistic services including maternal health, prenatal and postnatal care, family planning counseling and adolescent health and referrals to the advanced level of services, as well as prevention and response to gender-based violence with its women’s and reproductive health units to people in Adıyaman, one of the hardest hit provinces. For the residents of Adıyaman’s hinterland and people who cannot access the static unit, a mobile service unit is operating in line with UNFPA’s Leave No One Behind principle.
UNFPA has been on the ground from the first day of the disaster with its partners and donors, focusing on delivering life-saving sexual and reproductive health and protection information and services to women and girls in need in the earthquake region. UNFPA is committed to continue supporting vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls to increase their resilience through empowering them on health and protection issues.
