Türkiye earthquake survivors struggle to rebuild their lives a year later
A year after the devastating earthquake rocked Hatay province in Türkiye, the survivors are still grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. The province has witnessed extensive damage with hundreds of buildings yet to be demolished. To make matters worse, many of the residents who chose to stay in Hatay now reside in container homes, highlighting the ongoing challenges they face.
Yanar and his family recently moved to another container house due to the exorbitant rent prices in the area. The limited options and a four-fold increase in rents have forced them to continue living in these temporary homes. Similarly, Ali Riza and Sunay Gazaloglu, who lost two of their daughters in the quake, find themselves living in a container home as well. Their surviving daughter, Ella, is still traumatized by the incident and refuses to enter buildings, making attending school impossible for her.
The earthquake not only caused physical harm but also took a toll on people’s livelihoods. Ali Reda, who suffered serious injuries to his back during the earthquake, shared his struggles, stating that he can no longer work after undergoing multiple surgeries. His family now relies on financial aid provided by the Turkish Red Crescent to cover their daily expenses.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the Turkish government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership, pledged to rebuild 680,000 homes in Hatay and 10 other provinces within two years. As the first anniversary approached, officials unveiled newly built homes for affected families. These homes, including the container and prefabricated houses, aim to provide shelter to those displaced by the earthquake.
Residents living in container homes report that they provide sufficient warmth during the night. Others, like Gulcan Yilmaz, were lucky enough to be rescued from the rubble after five days. She shared her harrowing experience of being trapped under the debris, her arms and legs dangling in the air until finally being freed. Unfortunately, she lost her legs due to gangrene and returned to Hatay after receiving medical treatment elsewhere. Gulcan, now living in a prefabricated house, expressed gratitude toward her new home, but ultimately hopes to live in one of the newly constructed apartments.
The struggle to rebuild lives remains an ongoing battle for the survivors of the Hatay earthquake. The physical and emotional scars left by the disaster continue to haunt them, while they navigate through the challenges of finding stable housing and regaining their sources of income. The government’s efforts to provide temporary shelters have been commendable, but the survivors yearn for permanent solutions that will truly help them rebuild their lives in the long run.
