Two years have passed since the catastrophic earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye and neighbouring Syria on February 6, 2023, forever changing the lives of millions. The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 7.6 in magnitude, brought unprecedented destruction, leaving entire cities in ruins and causing a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions.
A Disaster of Unimaginable Scale
The earthquakes, centred in Kahramanmaraş, shook 11 Turkish provinces to their core. The initial tremor, recorded at a devastating 7.8 magnitude, lasted over 65 harrowing seconds, swallowing whole neighbourhoods, flattening buildings, and cutting off entire communities. By the time daylight revealed the extent of the destruction, more than 50,000 lives had been lost in Türkiye alone, with thousands more perishing across the border in Syria.
Infrastructure across the region was severely impacted. Bridges collapsed, roads were rendered impassable, and airport runways cracked, delaying vital emergency response efforts. Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that over 53,000 people died, with 107,000 injured, many of them suffering life-altering conditions. Nearly 2 million people were left homeless, with more than 39,000 buildings completely destroyed and another 200,000 severely damaged.
The Ruins of Antakya
Among the worst-hit areas was Antakya, the site of the ancient city of Antioch, once a bustling centre of culture and history. In the blink of an eye, 90% of its buildings crumbled, burying residents under tonnes of rubble. More than 20,000 people perished in Antakya and the surrounding Hatay province, which borders northwestern Syria.
While many tons of debris have been cleared, parts of the city’s historic heart still resemble a war zone. In its place, a sprawling construction site has emerged, with cranes dominating the skyline and a constant haze of dust filling the air as rebuilding efforts continue.
Rebuilding and Recovery
Two years on, the scars of the disaster remain deeply etched in the landscape and in the hearts of those affected. The Turkish government, with assistance from international organisations, has allocated billions of dollars to relief and reconstruction efforts. Despite progress, many survivors continue to struggle with housing shortages, financial hardship, and the lingering trauma of that fateful day.
New earthquake-resistant buildings are rising, but rebuilding entire communities is a slow and painstaking process. While Türkiye has vowed to restore the affected cities, the emotional and economic toll will take generations to heal, even as new housing projects and restoration efforts offer a fresh start for affected residents.
As the country marks the second anniversary of the tragedy, memorial services honour the victims, while survivors and rescue workers reflect on the darkest chapter in Türkiye’s recent history. Their resilience and determination serve as a testament to the strength of a nation striving to rebuild from the rubble.
The Presidency’s Directorate of Communications organized a program to mark the second anniversary of the earthquakes, bringing together 100 national and international journalists. Among them were 50 foreign journalists from 11 countries, including Germany, Iraq, Italy, Azerbaijan, and Bulgaria, to witness the progress and ongoing challenges in three of the most severely impacted cities: Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş and Hatay.
You can read the report by Amez Ahmed here:
Two years later, Türkiye rebuilds quake-hit cities with hope, sadness
Adıyaman: Ongoing Struggles and the Need for Educational Support
Adıyaman suffered immense devastation in the February 6, 2023, earthquakes, with over 5,000 buildings damaged and official figures reporting 8,387 deaths and 17,500 injuries. The province continues to struggle, with education remaining a critical concern. To ensure students can continue their education, ongoing support is needed to rebuild schools, provide educational materials, stable learning environments, and offer psychological assistance to children coping with trauma. NGOs, local communities, and volunteers have made vital contributions, but sustained efforts are essential to securing a future where every child in Adıyaman has access to quality education despite the challenges of post-earthquake recovery.
Ongoing Support: A Lifeline for Türkiye’s Earthquake Recovery
In the wake of the 2023 earthquakes, local communities in Türkiye have shown incredible resilience and solidarity. While government and international aid have been crucial, grassroots efforts have played a vital role in supporting those affected. Local organisations, volunteers, and community leaders have been at the forefront of providing immediate relief, including food, water, and medical assistance, to families in need. Many of these community-based initiatives focus on addressing specific regional challenges, such as distributing school supplies and offering psychosocial support to children. Additionally, local businesses and citizens have contributed by providing shelter, clothes, and essential goods. The strength of these local support networks has helped keep the sense of hope alive and ensured that vulnerable populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, receive vital aid. These efforts continue to be indispensable as the region works towards long-term recovery.
Bee Harrison and her husband Mehmet have lived in the Fethiye area for over 20 years. Some of you may know them from Sumak Café in Üzümlü. Mehmet’s family originates from, and still lives in, Adıyaman province, which is in the earthquake zone. The following articles are Bee’s account of their journey and stay with family four weeks after the earthquake, as well as reflections on the children affected by the earthquakes, one year on.
Özlem Warren, the author of Ozlem’s Turkish Table, whose hometown of Antakya was devastated by the earthquakes, donates the proceeds from the sales of her book in Türkiye to the cause. The book is available at Sumak Café, Üzümlü. All proceeds will be donated to help the children of Southeastern Türkiye.
If you live in Türkiye and wish to help by purchasing the book, or by making a donation, please contact Bee at:
https://www.instagram.com/blossomhill_uzumlu
We look forward to hearing from you and would like to thank all of you who have donated so far, contributing to the care of the children.
