Disaster Emergency Report – 15.02.2023

General Situation and Needs Assessment

On February 6, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, according to the Richter scale, occurred with its epicenter in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş province, as reported by AFAD (Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority). Nine hours later, a second major earthquake, measuring 7.5, caused severe damage and led to the collapse of already damaged buildings. The earthquakes affected several provinces, including Hatay, Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, Kilis, Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Adana, Osmaniye, and Diyarbakır, where approximately 13.5 million people reside, including 2 million Syrian refugees. According to AFAD’s statement on February 14, 2023, a total of 3,170 aftershocks occurred following the earthquakes.

The earthquake also severely affected north-west Syria, where 4.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Currently, the harsh winter conditions and a cholera outbreak are further endangering lives in Syria (Source: OCHA Earthquake: Türkiye and north-west Syria Flash Update No. 1 as of February 6, 2023).

For the ten provinces heavily impacted by the earthquake, AFAD, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Turkish Red Crescent, along with foreign countries and international organizations, have dispatched 227,762 tents, 48,271 containers, and 2,607,390 blankets (Source: AFAD).

There is an urgent need for all kinds of support to meet the basic needs of the affected provinces. Considering the water scarcity and the serious health risks it poses, the provision of water and sanitation is particularly critical. Due to the urgent need, there are calls for gas stations, schools, sports halls, and similar facilities to open their restrooms to those affected by the disaster. Access to personal care kits is limited across all provinces, but this issue is not widely publicized (Source: Support to Life Emergency Report dated February 11, 2023).

In all the affected provinces, especially around tent areas, waste management issues are expected to arise. Communal toilets are often inadequate to meet the needs of the affected populations. Generally, toilet facilities across all regions are insufficient or lack proper hygienic conditions. There are accessibility issues for disabled individuals, and the need for sanitary pads for women is among the most critical needs. Other important necessities include diapers, wet wipes, and liquid soap.

In the initial days following the disaster, media reports indicated incidents of looting in supermarkets and homes, leading to serious security concerns. Additionally, some political figures targeted Syrian refugees, resulting in increased hate speech.

Due to the cold winter conditions, the shelter problem persists. For the ten provinces affected by the earthquake, AFAD, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Turkish Red Crescent, and international countries and organizations have dispatched 227,762 tents, 48,271 containers, and 2,607,390 blankets.

There is a shortage of doctors and ambulances in temporary shelter areas. Individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant and nursing women, and others with special dietary needs require special attention.

Coordination

AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) and provincial administrations are responsible for local-level response efforts, with support from metropolitan municipalities sending expert teams to affected areas.

Aid distribution is not permitted without AFAD’s authorization. As a result, basic assistance items are inventoried in AFAD warehouses. Due to the lack of a provincial coordination mechanism, daily meetings are held at the Security and Emergency Coordination Centers (GAMER), led by ministers and governors appointed in the ten affected provinces. In coordination led by GAMER, NGOs are not included without references from AFAD, district governors, or municipalities (Source: Support to Life Emergency Report dated February 11, 2023).

Additional Information

In heavily affected areas, collapsed buildings and extensive debris have led to road closures. Many streets within cities, particularly in Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Adıyaman where building collapses are extensive, are closed to traffic. The transportation of aid materials and travel of personnel is a major challenge; phone and internet connectivity issues persist, especially in Hatay and other affected provinces.

According to the Ministry of National Education, schools in 71 provinces outside the earthquake-affected region will reopen on February 20, from preschool to high school. In the ten affected provinces, attendance requirements for all classes and grades for the second term will not be enforced (Ministry of National Education Announcement, February 14, 2023). Universities will conduct distance education as announced by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).