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last yr.

Slow Reconstruction and Unmet Promises Haunt Earthquake Survivors in Turkey

A year after the tragedy, thousands still live in temporary housing as the government faces criticism for its response.

Image
Smoke billows from the scene of collapsed buildings on February 7, 2023 in Hatay, Turkey.
Smoke billows from the Iskenderun Port as rescue workers work at the scene of a collapsed building on February 7, 2023 in Iskenderun, Turkey.
Sengul Karabas, now 7, stands on what remains of their former home in Islahiye. She lost her mother and brother when the building collapsed in the earthquake.

Overview

  • One year after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, survivors struggle to rebuild their lives amidst slow reconstruction efforts.
  • Over 850,000 housing units were destroyed or badly damaged, with the Turkish government pledging to build 650,000 new homes, but progress has been slow.
  • Nearly 700,000 survivors still live in temporary
  • container cities
  • with basic amenities, as demand for housing far outstrips supply.
  • The earthquakes caused significant loss of life, with more than 50,000 people killed in Turkey alone, and at least 145 people, including 38 children, still missing.
  • Criticism mounts against the Turkish government for slow emergency response, lax enforcement of building codes, and failure to prepare for future earthquakes.