Two Years After Devastating Earthquake, Turkey's Recovery Stalls

Two years after a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey, survivors continue to endure significant hardships. The January 6, 2023 disaster claimed over 53,000 lives and led to widespread destruction, displacing countless individuals from their homes. According to local reports, many survivors have yet to receive adequate support or housing, creating ongoing challenges in rebuilding their lives. The Turkish government and various non-profits have implemented recovery efforts, but progress has been slow, with many areas still in ruins. Survivors have expressed frustration and anger over bureaucratic delays and a perceived lack of urgency from authorities. Emre Karaca, a local resident, noted, “Our lives have changed forever, but the help we expected hasn’t come. We feel abandoned.” Earthquake recovery efforts emphasize infrastructure building and support services, but officials admit that substantial investment and coordination are still necessary to meet the needs of those affected. The plight of the survivors serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of natural disasters on communities.

Two years after the catastrophic earthquakes struck Turkey's southeastern region, only around 201,580 of the promised 319,000 new homes have been constructed, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The quakes, which registered magnitudes of 7.5 and 7.8, claimed over 60,000 lives and displaced millions. Currently, about half a million people remain in temporary shelters, generating widespread resentment among survivors. In Antioch, local barbershop owner Mr. Sabahattin, whose business used to thrive, now sees only a few customers due to the devastation surrounding him. He has lived in a cramped container for two years and expressed frustration at the lack of progress in rebuilding efforts. Most families now occupy makeshift accommodations, and many report deteriorating mental health, with 43% showing signs of post-traumatic stress, as per a UNICEF report. Despite visible construction activity, recovery efforts are limited, with the physical and emotional scars of the disaster still evident in communities shattered by loss and displacement. Relief organizations highlight the urgent need for adequate housing and mental health support.

Experts are raising alarms over the potential for a devastating earthquake in Istanbul, predicting that hundreds of thousands could die if proper precautions are not taken. According to Naci Görür, a prominent earthquake researcher, over 100,000 buildings in the city are at high risk of collapse due to inadequate safety measures. Turkey has struggled to prepare for future seismic events, even two years after experiencing significant earthquakes that devastated parts of the nation. Görür emphasized that neither local nor central authorities, nor the general public, fully grasp the severity of the threat. "Earthquake resilience measures in Turkish cities are insufficient," he stated. Geology professor Şükrü Ersoy echoed these concerns, noting that many at-risk structures remain unreinforced. Turkey's Urban Development Minister Murat Kurum warned that Istanbul would not withstand a major quake, with estimates indicating that 1.5 million residential and commercial buildings are at risk. The anticipated earthquake, likely centered around 15 kilometers from the city in the Marmara Sea, has a 60% probability of occurring with a magnitude above 7 by 2030, according to the Kandilli Observatory.