The US Committee of the Blue Shield (USBCS) expresses its profound sorrow at the great loss of
life, now numbering more than 50,000 victims, due to the earthquake of February 6 and severe
aftershocks in the region of southern Türkiye and northwest Syria. Uncounted numbers of
others have been injured, have lost their homes and their livelihoods, and are now displaced. At
this time, the full extent of the damage to heritage sites, monuments, buildings, and collections
of international, national, and local significance is still unknown. Historic structures such as the
Gaziantep Castle and religious buildings of numerous faiths that were in continued use are
among those severely damaged or destroyed, while the continuity of local ethnic and religious
communities, particularly in Antakya, is also reported to be imperiled. Much remains to be
assessed, while the humanitarian needs for shelter, food and medical care remain paramount.
USBCS stands ready to assist, as feasible, Türkiye Blue Shield and colleagues in Syria in efforts to
preserve the region’s cultural heritage.
Latest News & Alerts
July 2, 2026
Reuters has released a visual investigation special report about the damage to Iran's historic sites. Within this extensive report, authors Maggie Michael, M.B. Pell, Mari Saito, and Ryan McNeill include quotes from USCBS President, Patty Gerstenblith, [...]
June 25, 2026
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has published its 2025 report on the implementation of the EU Concept on Cultural Heritage in Conflicts and Crises, which discusses the EU’s efforts towards policies, instruments, and partnerships in [...]
June 11, 2026
Our next webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 24th at 1:30 pm EST. "The Founding Four & 20 Years of USCBS" will look back on two decades of the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield [...]
