Early Monday morning the 6th of February a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and another shortly followed with a magnitude of 7.5 magnitude hit Southeastern Türkiye and Northwestern Syria. Two earthquakes so powerful, reports from neighbouring countries such as Cyprus felt its magnitude. The tragedy has resulted in devastation of infrastructure and a significant death toll that continues to rise. International response has been swift, with many countries providing both aid in the form of financial support and rescue teams. The international response with aid has brought questions, concerns and critique regarding its distribution within Syria who is predicted to face a slower recovery. 

Türkiye so far has been the worst hit from the Earthquake with a death toll surpassing 11,000 and it continues to rise. Infrastructure, including famous historic sights such as a 2,000 year old Roman built castle has been reduced to rubble. Despite the loss of life and destruction, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has faced much criticism for his delayed response to the earthquake emergency. This has left much life-saving support unable to reach those Turkish regions that have been hurt the most. However, various nations have come to aid, The United States has pledged a manpower of 80 people comprising a rescue team along with search-and-rescue dogs to the Southeastern region of Türkiye. Pakistan and Russia are the countries sending along aircrafts and further rescue teams. Coupled along with aid from states are international organisations, Humanitarian Relief Foundations are urging for donations to help feed, clothe and shelter those affected. This is also reflected with a large social media presence, urging people to donate and spread information regarding the earthquakes. 

While there has been an immense international response to Türkiye, Syria has faced a slower response from the international community in regards to the distribution of aid. Syria has been no stranger to isolation from foreign aid, making earthquake aid relief from the international community an even greater defiance for the nation. Syria has been facing a humanitarian crisis since the start of the civil war in 2011, the devastating effects of the earthquake have heighted the extent of the emergency. As of since, Syria has been forced to split into various regions harbouring different ownership with Syrian government and Kurdish fighter controlled areas. This has made certain areas of Syria restricted access due to the Syrian government blocking off assistance from international aid organisations. Associated with this is, all aid entering Syria has to bypass the Bab al-Hawa crossing, located on the Syrian-Turkish border thus all aid has to be Turkish approved before it can enter. This has had even dire consequences for Syria with significantly less aid reaching the region, as this becomes their final aid crossing which is already facing greater threat by sustaining significant damage from the earthquakes. Türkiye are facing their own challenges dealing with the aftermath of the earthquakes, leading to less focus on approving the aid delivery to neighbouring Syria. 

Unfortunately for Syria the challenges rising from their political challenges don’t end there. Due to the situation in Syria, the government has been subject to sanctions imposed by the EU and The United States among those to name. These sanctions contribute to the difficulty of international aid becoming more accessible to the region. Significant backlash has come from Syrian officials who call for the sanctions to be abolished in order to help those affected by the Earthquake. This has been further echoed from humanitarian organisations, Syrian Arab Red Crescent who have critiqued the West and their decision to keep sanctions on Syria urging them to rethink sanctions in order to make international aid reachable and at a faster pace, critical as the conditions worsen. Social media has also become an outlet with people urging the sanctions to be lifted in order to ease the difficulty of aid efforts. It's clear both Türkiye and Syria are facing a catastrophe from the earthquakes, however, Syria’s disaster relief is occuring at a slower pace and with less aid flowing to the region. This is going to have significant impacts for Syria’s future recovery as this adds to the obstacles the state faces, as they continue to battle a civil war and humanitarian crisis.