Malatya/Adıyaman, Türkiye - The earthquakes that hit Southeastern Türkiye in February 2023 have caused severe damage in the provinces of Malatya and Adıyaman and the marks of it are still visible in the area. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has partnered with the KAMER Foundation, with financial aid from the Government of Japan, to provide support to women and girls affected by the disaster in these two provinces. 

In response to the earthquakes, the Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) were set up in Malatya and Adıyaman, offering life-saving support. Since January 2024, these WGSSs have been operating with funding from the Government of Japan, and they will remain in place to provide relief for a longer period until the end of 2024 as the needs in the area are still critical.

The project has two primary objectives:

• Ensure accessible and quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including maternal health, provided for women and girls in Adıyaman and Malatya from the earthquake-affected region. This objective is delivered through providing SRH services directly and organizing awareness-raising sessions on SRH.
• Provide safe, confidential and quality multi-sectoral gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response services for women and girls in Adıyaman and Malatya. The WGSSs, one in Adıyaman and one in Malatya will offer confidential and comprehensive GBV prevention and response services as well as awareness-raising sessions on GBV.

To ensure a coordinated approach and reach the most vulnerable populations, UNFPA will collaborate closely with relevant Turkish governmental institutions, including the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Family and Social Services. This collaboration builds upon existing Memoranda of Understanding between UNFPA and these ministries, further strengthening partnerships in the wake of the earthquakes.

The project adopts a collective humanitarian-development-peace approach. With this approach, UNFPA aims to help strengthen the national and local systems while effectively addressing the immediate needs of the population. It also seeks to mitigate future risks and vulnerabilities, contributing to sustainable development in the earthquake-affected region. The project's ultimate goal is for vulnerable women and girls in the earthquake zone to have full access to their sexual and reproductive health and rights and live free from gender-based violence.

The Japan-funded project, initiated and implemented by UNFPA Türkiye in collaboration with the KAMER Foundation, represents a key accelerator for women and girls’ recovery in Malatya and Adıyaman. By ensuring access to vital SRH services, establishing safe spaces, and fostering multi-sectoral GBV response mechanisms, the project aims to empower women and girls and contribute to the overall well-being and long-term recovery of the earthquake-affected communities. This initiative exemplifies the importance of international collaboration in times of crisis, highlighting the Government of Japan's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and building a more resilient future for Türkiye.