One year after the catastrophic earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye on February 6, 2023, the nation continues its arduous journey towards recovery and reconstruction. The seismic events, which resulted in the loss of over 53,500 lives and left 3.3 million people homeless across 11 provinces, have etched an indelible mark on the country’s landscape and psyche.
The Scale of Devastation
The earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.7 in magnitude, were the most severe to hit Türkiye in over 80 years. They affected an area of approximately 350,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of Germany, impacting about 14 million people—16 percent of Türkiye’s population. The economic toll has been staggering, with damages estimated at $148.8 billion, equivalent to nine percent of the country’s GDP.
Ongoing Reconstruction Efforts
The Turkish government, in collaboration with international partners, has launched a massive rebuilding and recovery initiative. The World Bank Group has been at the forefront, mobilizing $1.45 billion for two operations aimed at rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring health services, and reconstructing rural housing.
Healthcare Recovery
The health sector, which suffered severe damage with nearly one-third of its infrastructure affected, has been a priority. In Antakya, the 300-bed Defne Hospital was constructed in record time, symbolizing hope and renewal for the community. The World Bank’s health projects have enabled the facility to provide specialized medical services, including intensive care and advanced imaging.
Economic Revitalization
Efforts to stimulate economic recovery have been crucial. The World Bank’s $450 million project, implemented by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization of Türkiye (KOSGEB), has already extended financial lifelines to nearly 9,000 MSMEs. This support is vital for businesses like those of Erhan Kiliçlar in Antakya, who are striving to rebuild their operations and navigate the challenges of displaced skilled workers.
Shelter and Displacement
The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reports that as of April 2023, they had established 345 tent cities and 305 container cities in the earthquake-affected region. Approximately 2.6 million people were living in tent cities, while nearly 79,000 were housed in container cities. The government has also provided financial support, with over 1.6 million people receiving payments of 10,000 Turkish Liras ($519) to assist in their recovery.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite progress, the road to full recovery remains long and fraught with challenges. Many survivors continue to live in temporary shelters with limited access to basic necessities. The emotional toll on the population is profound, with many still grappling with the loss of loved ones and the constant visual reminders of the tragedy in the form of rubble and destroyed buildings.
Immediate Response
International organizations played a crucial role in the immediate response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye and Syria in February 2023. Their contributions were multifaceted and extensive:
Search and Rescue Operations
The United Nations coordinated international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, with 65 teams actively working in the affected provinces of Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Adiyaman, Gaziantep, and Hatay. These teams were instrumental in the critical early days of the disaster response.
Humanitarian Aid Delivery
The UN and its partners rapidly mobilized to provide essential aid:
- Over 420 trucks loaded with aid from six UN agencies crossed from Türkiye to north-west Syria using three border crossings: Bab Al-Hawa, Bab Al-Salam, and Al Ra’ee.
- The UN completed 17 cross-border missions to north-west Syria within the first three weeks of the disaster
Financial Support
International financial institutions stepped up to provide emergency funding:
- The World Bank Group mobilized $1.45 billion for two operations aimed at rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring health services, and reconstructing rural housing.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) initiated and repurposed funding instruments to support least developed countries and provided short-term liquidity lines.
Health Services
The World Health Organization (WHO) took on a significant role in coordinating health responses and managing global supply chains in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP).
Shelter and Displacement Support
The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), with support from international organizations, established 345 tent cities and 305 container cities to house displaced individuals.
Coordination and Assessment
The UN launched a Flash Appeal calling for $397.6 million in emergency assistance to provide relief to 4.9 million people in acute need. Additionally, the UN Secretary-General facilitated the opening of two additional crossing points from Türkiye to north-west Syria to expedite aid delivery.
International organizations demonstrated their capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to this cross-border crisis, leveraging their expertise, resources, and established networks to provide critical support in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes.
