Post-earthquake reconstruction in Türkiye: mixed progress
The earthquake that struck Turkey in February 2023 left deep scars in the southeast of the country. A year after this tragedy, the reconstruction of the affected regions is still awaited, despite the promises of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
With more than 53,000 deaths officially recorded and thousands of buildings destroyed, the consequences of this earthquake are still palpable today. The survivors, who lost everything in this disaster, still live in precarious conditions, in tents or containers.
The Turkish government’s commitments to reconstruction have encountered numerous obstacles. The implementation of the new housing promised by President Erdogan has been delayed, and only part of them have been built to date. In addition, many affected families have still not been rehoused, which fuels their frustration and their feeling of abandonment.
At the same time, legal action against real estate developers responsible for constructing substandard buildings in seismic zones also faces difficulties. Some of them have been arrested, but the disappearance of some evidence hampers the holding of a fair trial.
Faced with these obstacles, earthquake survivors express their anger and despair. They meet regularly to express their discontent and demand concrete responses from the authorities.
Despite these difficulties, President Erdogan remains optimistic and promises an acceleration of reconstruction. He affirms that thousands of homes will be delivered each month, hoping to restore the confidence of the victims in the State.
The commemoration of the 2023 earthquake is an opportunity to recall the importance of the Turkish authorities’ commitment to reconstruction. It is essential that the promises made to the victims are kept, in order to allow them to return to normal life and overcome the trauma caused by this tragedy.
Post-earthquake reconstruction in Turkey is a complex process, but it is essential to secure the future of the affected regions. Let us hope that the authorities will show determination and accelerate reconstruction efforts, so that survivors can finally rebuild their lives on a solid foundation.