On Feb 6, 2023, a 7·8 magnitude earthquake struck Syria and Türkiye, resulting in the worst natural disaster the region has experienced in the past century. As of March 1, the death toll in both countries has surpassed 51 000 people,and this number is expected to rise further. The Syrian Assistance Coordination Unit has reported that over 4518 people have lost their lives in northwest Syria,an area outside the Syrian regime’s control in which around 4·5 million people reside, of whom 65% are internally displaced. Additionally, the Syrian Minister of Health has reported 1414 deaths in areas under regime control. The earthquake has compounded the already severe suffering of the Syrian people, who have endured over 12 years of conflict, resulting in over 874 000 casualties and the forced displacement of over half of the pre-conflict population of 22 million people, both internally and abroad.