Two years have passed since the devastating earthquakes shook Türkiye, leaving a trail of devastation across eleven provinces.

The twin earthquakes of February 6, 2023, centered in Kahramanmaraş, claimed over 53,000 lives and injured more than 107,000, exposing the vulnerability of the nation's infrastructure and the fragility of its disaster preparedness. 

HÜDA PAR's comprehensive "Earthquake Zone Investigation Report," released on the second anniversary, provides a stark assessment of the reconstruction efforts, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.

The report, based on extensive field inspections and firsthand accounts from affected communities, provides a granular assessment of the damage and a roadmap for addressing the multifaceted needs of the earthquake-stricken regions.

Unprecedented Destruction Across Eleven Provinces

On that fateful day in 2023, two powerful earthquakes — measuring 7.7 and 7.6 on the Richter scale, respectively — struck the Pazarcık and Elbistan districts of Kahramanmaraş, merely nine hours apart. The earthquakes wreaked havoc in 11 provinces, including Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Osmaniye, Adana, Diyarbakır, Malatya, and Elazığ. Official records confirm that 53,537 citizens lost their lives while 107,213 sustained injuries. The report estimates that a staggering 676,946 residential structures have been either completely destroyed, rendered imminently collapse-prone, or damaged to a severe or moderate degree.

This overwhelming destruction not only obliterated buildings but also laid bare the vulnerabilities of Turkey’s urban and rural infrastructure. The scale of the disaster underscored systemic shortcomings in disaster preparedness and response capabilities, challenging both social solidarity and institutional effectiveness.

Immediate Response and Field Mobilization

In the immediate aftermath, HÜDA PAR mobilized its Central Office and local branches. Under the leadership of Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, an Emergency Coordination Center was swiftly established, and 12 dedicated teams were dispatched across the affected regions. From February 6 to March 15, 2023, these teams conducted direct consultations with officials, neighborhood representatives, and survivors across 11 provinces, 59 districts, and 1,496 rural neighborhoods. The objective was clear: document urgent needs, relay information to the authorities, and initiate solution-based interventions.

During the first days, search and rescue operations were prioritized, soon followed by emergency relief measures. Collaborating with humanitarian aid organizations, HUDA PAR facilitated the distribution of essential supplies—including blankets, water, bread, tents, food, and clothing—to those in dire need. In makeshift community kitchens set up in key areas such as Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, and Malatya, hot meals were prepared daily for up to 50,000 individuals residing in temporary tent cities and rural settlements.

Ongoing Reconstruction and Housing Challenges

The report lays out a detailed account of the reconstruction efforts. In the earthquake zone, the damage to the housing sector is estimated at a monumental 60.7 billion dollars, with the reconstruction of uninhabitable residential buildings alone costing about 54.7 billion dollars. HUDA PAR, alongside governmental bodies, has planned a Disaster Housing Program aimed at delivering 405,505 urban residences and 83,149 village houses across the affected 11 provinces. So far, 201,580 housing units—including 169,171 residences, 149 workplaces, and 32,260 village houses—have been delivered to eligible homeowners. Projections indicate that by the end of 2025, an additional 452,983 units will be completed, marking roughly 44.5% progress in the housing delivery process.

Despite these strides, significant delays persist, particularly in provinces like Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Malatya, where accelerated efforts are urgently needed. The construction and delivery of village houses in rural areas are lagging behind urban centers, underscoring the need for enhanced local administration coordination and increased support.

The Plight of Container Cities and Shelter Conditions

In the wake of the earthquakes, approximately 392 container cities were erected, comprising 211,000 containers that now shelter around 675,291 citizens. Urban centers house 428,638 people, while 246,653 reside in rural container setups. Regions like Hatay face acute challenges, as the high density in these temporary settlements exacerbates issues such as water and electricity outages, inadequate sewerage, and the risk of public health crises due to mold, water leakage, and deteriorating structural integrity. The urgency for transitioning these populations into permanent housing remains one of the report's critical concerns.

Property Ownership, Infrastructure, and Social Services

The investigation details the complexities of the housing allocation process, noting that 320,396 urban and 119,226 rural property ownerships have been identified in the earthquake zone. However, discrepancies persist—irregularities in housing delivery, particularly in Adıyaman, have led to allegations that only selective floors of buildings are being delivered, potentially to facilitate future higher-price sales of surplus units.

Infrastructure deficiencies plague new TOKİ-built residences, where issues like poor material quality, insufficient insulation, water leakage, and natural gas connectivity problems render many completed houses unusable. Furthermore, inadequate public transportation and unreliable utility services hamper the daily lives of earthquake survivors.

On the social front, the report highlights critical gaps in education and healthcare services. Over 12,119 classrooms were damaged—about a 10% loss from pre-earthquake numbers—and 22,039 new classrooms are planned, with an ambitious budget of 62.6 billion TL. Similarly, 134 hospitals have been affected, with plans to bolster healthcare capacity through new secondary and primary healthcare facilities. Yet, regions such as Hatay, Malatya, and Adıyaman continue to struggle with shortages of specialist doctors, medical equipment, and functioning family health centers.

Economic Impact and Livelihood Challenges

Economic hardships in the earthquake zone remain severe. Small business owners are burdened by outstanding credit and tax debts, with calls for extended tax exemptions and credit deferrals. In industrial zones, the slow progress of on-site transformation projects stymies the creation of new workplaces, further complicating efforts to stimulate local economies. The report underscores the need for coordinated public-private initiatives to provide employment, especially for youth and temporary workers, and to ensure a transition to sustainable, permanent jobs.

Transportation, Communication, and Social Infrastructure

The report also examines the state of transportation and social infrastructure. Newly constructed housing developments suffer from incomplete electrical, water, and natural gas installations, while insufficient public transportation networks hinder access to both container cities and permanent residences. Social amenities such as mosques, markets, bakeries, and ATMs are notably lacking in many of the delivered housing projects, aggravating the daily struggles of residents still reeling from the disaster.

Field Inspections and Local Engagement

A comprehensive series of field inspections was conducted between January 1 and January 31, 2025, led by key figures including HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, Deputy Chairman and Gaziantep MP Şahzade Demir, the party’s Spokesperson Serkan Ramanlı, Youth Policies President Faruk Dinç, and other senior members and provincial chairpersons. These visits, carried out across multiple provinces, allowed HÜDA PAR to engage directly with citizens, understand their demands, and document the myriad issues facing the earthquake victims—from delayed housing deliveries and irregularities in property ownership to deteriorating living conditions in container cities.

The HÜDA PAR Earthquake Report presents an exhaustive analysis of the far-reaching impact of the February 6, 2023 earthquakes, highlighting both the immense scale of destruction and the ongoing challenges in recovery and reconstruction. While significant strides have been made—from emergency relief operations and initial housing deliveries to the establishment of container cities and healthcare investments—the report makes it clear that much work remains. It calls for a coordinated, multi-faceted approach to accelerate reconstruction, improve infrastructure, and provide robust social services to ensure that earthquake survivors are not left in perpetual uncertainty and hardship. As Turkey grapples with the aftermath of one of its worst natural disasters, the report serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for sustainable, comprehensive solutions to rebuild lives and communities. (ILKHA)